Persian Kings - Cyrus

Question 1

Birth Story of Cyrus

Answer 1

• Astyages dreamt that his daughter would give birth to a son who would become King violently.
• He married her to the King of Persia.
• When her son was born Astyages told Harpagus to have him killed.
• He couldn’t do it and gave the baby to a herdsmen to kill.
• The herdsmen gave the baby to his wife.
• Cyrus was summoned before Astyages after getting in trouble with a noblemans son, Astyages was pleased he was alive.
• Astyages fed Harpagus his own son after killing him.
• Astyages sent Cyrus to Persia.

Question 2

Conquest of the Medes (550)

Answer 2

• Harpagus plotted revenge against Astyages so contacted Cyrus, he also encouraged Median men to revolt.
• When Cyrus grew up Harpagus promised him support if he attacked.
• Astyages appointed Harpagus as general of army.
• When the Median and Persian army met the Median army switched sides.
• Cyrus became King but allowed Astyages to live.

Question 3

Conquest of Lydia (546)

Answer 3

• Croesus was King of Lydia and conquered the Ionian Greeks and was allied with Lesbos, Chios + Samos.
• Croesus was alarmed by Cyrus’ conquest of Media so wanted to strike first.
• Cyrus asked the Ionians to revolt.
• Croesus led his army across R. Halys and met Cyrus at Pteria, inclusive battle.
• Croesus retreated to Sardis to recruit a bigger army and appealed for help from Babylonians, Egyptians and Spartans.
• Disbanded his army due to winter.
• Cyrus marched to Sardis at top speed.
• Harpagus countered the Lydian cavalry by using camels to scare them, the Lydians lost.
• Cyrus besieged Croesus in Sardis and found a way to climb the Sardis walls and capture it.

Question 4

Conquest of Ionia

Answer 4

• Ionian Greeks asked Cyrus for same terms of surrender as Croesus. He said no because they didn’t revolt.
• Ionian cities asked for Spartan help, they sent a boat to watch Persians.
• Cyrus left a general, Tabalus, to rule Sardis with help from Pactyes and conquer the Ionians.
• Lydians led by Pactyes revolted, it failed.
• Harpagus led a revenge mission against those who helped Pactyes, they got scared and surrendered.

Question 5

Conquest of Babylon (539)

Answer 5

Herodotus:

• Babylonians prepared for siege.
• Persians got into city by diverting the Euphrates and wading up the river where it flowed in Babylon.
• Turning point as Persia were now able to take control over lands of Levant.
• Levant would have welcomed the Persians as liberators from Babylonian rule.

Old Testament:

• Jews were conquered around 600.
• rebelled repeatedly so many Jews taken to Babylon.
• Cyrus liberated the Jews.
• Cyrus rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem.

Question 6

Pasargadae

Answer 6

• new royal palace located in the heart of Persia in the Zagros mountains.
• on an important trade route.
• 400 acres total.
• Citadel built on a hill above the plain.
• Waterways (1100m)
• Cyrus’ tomb

Question 7

Cyrus’ death (530)

Answer 7

• Cyrus campaigned against the Messagetae led by Queen Tomyris.
• Advanced to the Araxes river.
• Tomyris tried to negotiate pace, but offered battle if necessary.
• Cyrus’ advisers told him to fight on Persian side, Croesus said opposite.
• Cyrus sent Croesus back to Persia with his son Cambyses.
• Persians won the first battle and captured the Queen’s son.
• Persians lost second battle and Cyrus killed.