Persian Kings - Darius Flashcards
1
Q
Succession (Cambyses -> Darius
A
- Bisitun Inscription, set up in 520 on a main road connecting Babylon and Ectbatana hence it was a good place to promote but it was 100m above the ground on a rock, hard to see.
- The image was Darius with 2 senior officials behind him. Darius who was bigger than everyone else was looking down on 9 leaders of conquered peoples, their necks tied.
- Darius was standing on Smerdis.
2
Q
Version of events of the succession (Cambyses - Darius)
A
- Cambyses arranged for Bardiya/Smerdis to be killed in secret.
- Cambyses headed to Egypt.
- People’s of the empire became restless
- Gaumata, pretending to be Bardiya led a rebllion. He established himself as King on 1st July.
- Cambyses died.
- People who knew about Gaumata said nothing in fear.
- Darius with the help of Ahumaramazda challenged Gaumata and killed him and his followers in a fortress with the help of 6 allies.
- Darius came to the throne.
3
Q
Elam and Babylonia Revolt
A
- Oct to Dec 522
- led by Nidintu-Bel, claiming to be a son of Nabonidus.
- Darius marched and defeated the rebels in 2 battle in Dec 522.
-521
- led by Arakha, claiming to be a son of Nabonidus.
- suppressed by Persian noble, Intraphrenes in November.
4
Q
Darius’ ruthlessness of his suppression
A
- Nidintu-Bel and Arakha were impaled.
- Phraortes in Media had nose, ears and tongue cut off. Was kept in chains at the gate of Darius. Impaled
5
Q
Invasion of Babylon
A
- Darius besieged Babylon for 19 months trying Cyrus’ tactics and his own but they didn’t work.
- Persian noble Zopyrus pretended to defect the Babylonians and gradually gained their trust by slaughtering Persians sent by Darius.
- Once given command of the cities defences Zopyrus opened the gates and Babylon was captured.
- Darius impaled the 300 leading men and tore the walls down.
6
Q
Why so many revolts?
A
- instability of Persian rule in 522 gave people hope they could revolt successfully.
- People were angry that Darius had illegitimately taken power.
7
Q
Consolidation of Power
A
- Darius called himself King of Persia and had 23 lands under his command.
- Wanted to link himself to Cyrus by saying they both descended from Achaemenes, may have made him up.
- Connected to Cyrus by marrying his daughters, Atossa and Artystone.
- Darius’ policy, treat loyal well, punish disloyal.
8
Q
Reforms to system of Government
A
- organised the empire into 20 satrapies (provinces) with a satrap (governor) in charge of each.
- They were monitored and their main job was to collect taxes and provide troops.
- Road system, set up with stations and inns, messages which needed to travel quickly used a relay system with riders and horses waiting at designated stations.
9
Q
building projects
A
- Susa, 250 acres, rebuilt on three levelled mounds, entrance to one of the mounts was a 12-13m high gate of Darius. Apadanna was a great columned audience hall (18m x 18m, 20m high)
- Persepolis (new royal capital), 25 miles from Pasargadae, construction began in 518, monumental terrace (34 acres), Great Apadanna was at the west end of the terrace raised 3 metres above the terrace and 60m in length.
- 50 mile canal in Egypt, joined Red Sea to river Nile, promoted trade routes by ships between Egypt and the east.
- built new irrigation systems to help Egyptians grow crops more productively.
10
Q
Why did he expand?
A
- had to live up to Cyrus and Cambyses, invade other places.
- Persian army was big with most not Persian so if they were busy they wouldn’t have time to think about revolting.
11
Q
West: Aegean Islands
A
- appointed half brother + other relatives to important positions in the region.
- Samos first island brought into empire, significant navy.
- Lesbos and Chios were fighting for Darius by 513
12
Q
East: Indus Valley
A
- reconnaissance party sent to explore the Indus Valley
- Darius overcame the Indians in Indus Valley
13
Q
North West: Thrace and Scythia
A
- Darius led a great army to the Bosporus and marched into Europe (700,000 with 600 ships.)
- army marched through Thrace to the Ister, another bridge built, army marched into Scythia, Ionian troops left to guard the bridge.
- Scythian’s moved around and split up avoiding battle.
- Scythian’s mounted archers had success against Persian parties, Persian supplies limited.
- Darius retreated to the Ister but got lost and the Scythians got to bridge first and tried to persuade the Ionians to cut it down and desert.
- They rejected this, Persians reached the bridge and Darius returned home and left Megabazus to complete conquest of Thrace, he had success and conquered every city.
- Persians told Macedonians to submit and they did.
14
Q
West: Naxos expedition
A
- Aristagoras persuaded Artaphernes + Darius to attack Naxos.
- Aristagoras hoped to become richer and grow his power.
- The Persians wanted to bring Naxos into the empire and use these as jumping off points to attack Greece.
- Aristagoras argued with Persian commander Megabates and lost.
15
Q
Ionian Revolt (499-494)
A
- Aristagoras performed a complete turn around, he laid down his tyranny and encouraged Miletus and the other Ionian cities to revolt against the Persians.
- They did this and established democracies.
- Aristagoras travelled to Greece to get help but the Spartans refused as they were too far but the Athenians sent 20 ships and Eretria sent 5.
- Greeks successfully attacked Sardis and burnt it to ground, they burnt temple of goddess Cybebe which was the Persians main anger.
- They headed for the coast but were easily defeated by Persian cavalry. Athenians withdrew support from the revolt.
- Persians sent out 3 armies, generally very successful. Only rebel success in Caria where they ambushed and killed Dariuses’ forces.
- Ionians sent a fleet to help the rebels and they defeated the Persians on sea.
16
Q
Ionian Revolt (499-494) - Pt 2
A
- 496, Aristagoras abandoned Ionia for Thrace but was killed.
- Histiaeus returned and persuaded Darius he would resolve matters. He went to Hellespont where he attacked Greek and Persian ships.
- 494, Persians tried to buy off Ionian forces, fleet of 600 Persian ships vs 353 Greek ships.
- Persians bribed some Greeks, decisive victory.
- Persians sacked Miletus and brought the whole region under control.
17
Q
Consequences of the Ionian Revolt
A
Persians:
- sacked Miletus, sack of major sanctuary at Didyma.
- keen to create conditions for lasting peace, system of arbitration of disputes between Ionian cities + fairer tax system. Democracies introduced in Ionian cities.
18
Q
Causes of the revolt
A
- Aristagoras told the Ionian cities to rebel and they did.
- Ionians wanted freedom from Persian rule.
19
Q
West Again: Mainland Greece
A
- Darius sent a fleet to north of mainland Greece led by Mardonius.
- Persian fleet wrecked off Mount Athos.
- Persian army won (but lost many men) over some Thracians.
- Darius sent heralds demanding submission and most mainland states and all islands did but Sparta and Athens were violent. Sparta murdered the heralds by throwing them down a well and Athens threw the heralds into pits for criminals.
20
Q
Marathon Expedition
A
- Darius appointed Datis and Artaphernes, adviser was Hippias, fleet of 600.
- Fleet crossed the Aegean: Naxos was captured easily, burnt cities and temples to ground. In Delos the islanders fled and Persians left fabulous offerings at the sanctuary. Eretria, besieged and captured it and burnt temples.
- Landed in Attica at Marathon, met by Athenians led by 10 generals and a small force from Plataea.
- Battle was won by Athenians, 6400 Persians killed V 192 Athenians.
21
Q
Outcome of Marathon Expedition
A
- Athenian victory, enraged Darius, was going to send larger force to conquer all of Greece but died in 486.
- Persia, successful in devastating many Greek islands, main aim of campaign wasn’t Athens.
