Persia

Question 1

Xerxes’ preparations for the invasion of Greece.

Answer 1

100,000-300,000 men realistically, 2 million according to Herotodus, issued tax among his subjects to prepare and took 4 years. Also built up his fleet of ships.

Question 2

Battle of Thermopylae

Answer 2

Leonidus had 7,000 men whereas Xerxes had 70,000+, Greeks resisted in a narrow pass near Thermopylae, howver Ephialtes, a Greek, betrayed the Greeks for money, and alerted Xerxes of a hidden passage that went around Thermopylae. Leonidus was informed of this and sent off much of his army, however decided to stay there himself, likely as a last stand to give the Greeks more time to prepare that Xerxes was coming.

Question 3

• Battle of Salamis (including prep. and events)

Answer 3

After Thermopylae, the Greeks had deserted to the island of Salamis, and the Persian navy caught up. However as they thought, Persian numbers were a hindrance as the wind and weather made it cramped for the ships to move, letting the Greeks fight back and eliminate the majority of the Persian army.

Question 4

Features of Cyrus’ childhood

Answer 4

-Astyages was his grandfather
-Sentenced to death by Astyages
-Harpagus was forced to eat his own son for saving Cyrus\

Question 5

Cyrus conquering the Medes

Answer 5

Revolted against his grandfather, Astyages and conquered Medes

Question 6

Cyrus’ conquest of Lydia

Answer 6

King Croesus of Lydia was worried that Cyrus was conquering too near Lydia and declared war on him. As it was nearing Winter, Cyrus unexpectedly attacked them during war, the Persians won and placed Sardis under siege.
During the siege, the Persians used camels to win against cavalry and won the battle, conquering Lydia

Question 7

Cyrus sparing Croesus

Answer 7

As Cyrus was executing Croesus, the former king of Lydia, he set him alight, burning him however, during the execution, it rained, sparing Croesus. Cyrus took this as a sign of mercy from Apollo and made Croesus his advisor.

Question 8

Cyrus’ conquest of Babylon

Answer 8

Cyrus decalred war on Babylon and won, placing them under siege, he then invaded the city during a festival, by drying out the river that ran into the city by digging it out, he then raided the city and won, conquering Babylon.