Week 5: Ionian Revolt and Persian Wars Flashcards
The Persian Empire occupied __/4ths of the known world.
3/4 of the known world.
According to Herodotus, what did Astyage dream about his daughter Mandane?
Astyage dreamed that his daughter’s womb grew a vine that covered all of Asia, and that she urinated, causing the continent to flood.
Cyrus the Great first became ruler of _______
Anshan
What was the Royal Road?
The Persian courier system (aka Persian Pony Express)
What was the Royal Road’s slogan?
“Neither rain nor snow nor sleet, nor hail stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”
The Royal Road ran from the city of __________ to ___________
Persepolis to Sardis
What was the “Queen of all Cities”?
Babylon
When did the Neo-Babylonian Empire fall to Cyrus the Great?
539 BC
Which god did Cyrus reinstate as state deity?
Marduk
Why is Cyrus praised in the Bible?
Because Cyrus freed the Jews and rebuilt Jerusalem.
Who was the “Heretical” last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire?
King Nabonidus
Before Cyrus, what god did Nabonidus replace Marduk with as head deity of the state?
Sin
What does the Cyrus Cylinder say?
It praises Cyrus for reinstating Marduk as head deity of the state.
Why did many people in Babylon welcome Alexander later on?
Because after Cyrus, the Persian kings began to gradually pay less attention to Babylon and the god Marduk.
What is the native pagan religion of the Persians?
Zoroastrianism
Which Persian King adopted Zoroastrianism as the state religion?
Cyrus
What was the name of the prophet of Zoroastrianism?
Zoroaster
True or False:
Zoroastrianism is the very first religion to suggest that your actions have moral repercussions.
TRUE!
You were expected to strive for a moral life.
Who is the Creator God and God of the Sky in Zoroastrianism?
Ahura-Mazda
Who is the “Destructive” evil Deity in Zoroastrianism?
Ahriman
What were the Priests of Zoroastrianism called?
The Magi
What did the Magi declare war against?
Insects and Reptiles
What does the Behistun rock inscription say?
Most importantly:
- Tells us of Darius’ righteousness as ruler
Also:
- Tells us King Darius’ extent of his empire
- Also tells us of his struggle for power in killing his rival, Gaumata in 522 BC
What was the name of Darius’ palace in Persepolis?
Apadana
How does Herodotus view history?
As moral machinery (everything goes back to moral karma)
Ex. Bad things happen to bad people and their descendants
Where did the Royal Road begin?
Sardis
What King introduced the first ever coinage?
Croesus of Lydia
Who were the 4 big Ionian Philosophers?
- Thales of Miletos
- Anaximander of Miletos
- Anaximenes of Miletos
- Heraklitos of Ephesos
What fellow tyrant helped Polykrates of Samos rise to Power?
Lygdamis of Naxos
What was the name of the Persian satrap who assassinated Polykrates?
Oreotes
Who started the Ionian Revolt?
Aristagoras of Miletus
Why did Aristagoras start the Ionian Revolt?
When his father, Histiaeus, is summoned to Persia, Aristagoras is in control of Miletus. He immediately plans an alliance to invade Naxos, but fails. Fearing Persian punishment, he begins the Ionian Revolt.
Why was Histiaeus of Miletus summoned to Persia?
To curb his ambitions (he lost the trust of Darius)
Who was the Persian king during the Ionian Revolt?
Darius I
How does Athens get involved in the Ionian Revolt?
Aristagoras goes to the mainland to beg for help against the Persians. Athens agrees and sends 20 warships. (Darius will not forget this)
What did Darius have a slave to do after the Ionian Revolt?
Whisper in his ear, “Remember the Athenians”
(for sending 20 warships against him)
The burning of what town by the Persians was seen as a 9/11 traumatic tragedy for the Greeks?
The Burning of Miletus
What is wrong with Herodotus’ understanding of the Ionian Revolt?
- He writes as thought the revolt occurred due to the personal motivations of Aristagoras (thus overlooking the very real grievances of the Ionian states)
- He does NOT understand Persian monarchy (how would he have access to sources on them if he never went to Persia)
What were the 3 true causes for the Ionian Revolt?
- Ionian hatred for Persian puppet Tyrannies
- Economic hardship in Ionia (due to Persian rule)
- Desire for Ionian liberty and freedom
Who were the 4 Persian collaborators (Medizing States)?
- Macedonia
- Thessaly
- Boeotia
- Aegina
Which Macedonian King renewed vassal status with Persia in 492 BC?
Alexander Ist
True or False:
When demanded, the Spartans did not give earth and water to the Persians.
FALSE
The Spartan King Demeratos actually DID at first
The other Spartan King, Kleomenes was furious, and Demeratos flees to Persia!
Which Spartan King gave earth and water to Persia?
Demeratos
What was the name of the messenger at Marathon?
Phillipides
Who was the tiebreaker, urging the Athenian command NOT to wait for the Spartans to arrive at Marathon?
Kallimachos
What religious festival prevented the Spartans from arriving to Marathon on time?
Carneia
What did Hippias dream on the eve of Marathon?
That he fell and chipped a tooth
(bad omen –> signified he was too old and had bad fortune in commanding the Persian army)
What other polis helped the Athenians at Marathon?
The Plateans (sent 2000 hoplites)
Who were blamed for the infamous “Shield Signal” at Marathon?
The Alkmeonidai
Which clan was Herodotus likely family friends with?
The Alkmeonidai
What does the Serpent Column at Delphi represent?
All Greeks who stood up against the Persian Invaders
According to Herodotus, what did Xerxes do to the Hellespont water?
Xerxes threw chains at the Hellespont shoreline to enslave it.
How does Herodotus portray Xerxes?
As a crazy overambitious Villain, with violent mood swings and temper tantrums.
What did Xerxes do that insulted the gods?
He bridged the Hellespont
(The God’s intentionally separated Greece and Asia, and Xerxes is arrogant enough to bridge them!)
What does Athens discover shortly after Marathon?
More silver mines nearby!
What does Themistokles persuade Athens to do with the silver?
Usually, the silver would be divided amongst the citizens, BUT, Themistokles convinces Athens to use it to build a new FLEET.
Who founded the Hellenic League?
Themistokles
What does the 1st oracle tell Themistokles?
Xerxes is invading?? RUN!
What does the 2nd oracle tell Themistokles?
“Trust in the Wooden Walls”
