Week 5: Ionian Revolt and Persian Wars

Question 1

The Persian Empire occupied __/4ths of the known world.

Answer 1

3/4 of the known world.

Question 2

According to Herodotus, what did Astyage dream about his daughter Mandane?

Answer 2

Astyage dreamed that his daughter’s womb grew a vine that covered all of Asia, and that she urinated, causing the continent to flood.

Question 3

Cyrus the Great first became ruler of _______

Answer 3

Anshan

Question 4

What was the Royal Road?

Answer 4

The Persian courier system (aka Persian Pony Express)

Question 5

What was the Royal Road’s slogan?

Answer 5

“Neither rain nor snow nor sleet, nor hail stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.”

Question 6

The Royal Road ran from the city of __________ to ___________

Answer 6

Persepolis to Sardis

Question 7

What was the “Queen of all Cities”?

Answer 7

Babylon

Question 8

When did the Neo-Babylonian Empire fall to Cyrus the Great?

Answer 8

539 BC

Question 9

Which god did Cyrus reinstate as state deity?

Answer 9

Marduk

Question 10

Why is Cyrus praised in the Bible?

Answer 10

Because Cyrus freed the Jews and rebuilt Jerusalem.

Question 11

Who was the “Heretical” last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire?

Answer 11

King Nabonidus

Question 12

Before Cyrus, what god did Nabonidus replace Marduk with as head deity of the state?

Answer 12

Sin

Question 13

What does the Cyrus Cylinder say?

Answer 13

It praises Cyrus for reinstating Marduk as head deity of the state.

Question 14

Why did many people in Babylon welcome Alexander later on?

Answer 14

Because after Cyrus, the Persian kings began to gradually pay less attention to Babylon and the god Marduk.

Question 15

What is the native pagan religion of the Persians?

Answer 15

Zoroastrianism

Question 16

Which Persian King adopted Zoroastrianism as the state religion?

Answer 16

Cyrus

Question 17

What was the name of the prophet of Zoroastrianism?

Answer 17

Zoroaster

Question 18

True or False:

Zoroastrianism is the very first religion to suggest that your actions have moral repercussions.

Answer 18

TRUE!

You were expected to strive for a moral life.

Question 19

Who is the Creator God and God of the Sky in Zoroastrianism?

Answer 19

Ahura-Mazda

Question 20

Who is the “Destructive” evil Deity in Zoroastrianism?

Answer 20

Ahriman

Question 21

What were the Priests of Zoroastrianism called?

Answer 21

The Magi

Question 22

What did the Magi declare war against?

Answer 22

Insects and Reptiles

Question 23

What does the Behistun rock inscription say?

Answer 23

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

Question 24

What was the name of Darius’ palace in Persepolis?

Answer 24

Apadana

Question 25

How does Herodotus view history?

Answer 25

As moral machinery (everything goes back to moral karma) Ex. Bad things happen to bad people and their descendants

Question 26

Where did the Royal Road begin?

Answer 26

Sardis

Question 27

What King introduced the first ever coinage?

Answer 27

Croesus of Lydia

Question 28

Who were the 4 big Ionian Philosophers?

Answer 28

1. Thales of Miletos 2. Anaximander of Miletos 3. Anaximenes of Miletos 4. Heraklitos of Ephesos

Question 29

What fellow tyrant helped Polykrates of Samos rise to Power?

Answer 29

Lygdamis of Naxos

Question 30

What was the name of the Persian satrap who assassinated Polykrates?

Answer 30

Oreotes

Question 31

Who started the Ionian Revolt?

Answer 31

Aristagoras of Miletus

Question 32

Why did Aristagoras start the Ionian Revolt?

Answer 32

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.

Question 33

Why was Histiaeus of Miletus summoned to Persia?

Answer 33

To curb his ambitions (he lost the trust of Darius)

Question 34

Who was the Persian king during the Ionian Revolt?

Answer 34

Darius I

Question 35

How does Athens get involved in the Ionian Revolt?

Answer 35

Aristagoras goes to the mainland to beg for help against the Persians. Athens agrees and sends 20 warships. (Darius will not forget this)

Question 36

What did Darius have a slave to do after the Ionian Revolt?

Answer 36

Whisper in his ear, "Remember the Athenians" (for sending 20 warships against him)

Question 37

The burning of what town by the Persians was seen as a 9/11 traumatic tragedy for the Greeks?

Answer 37

The Burning of Miletus

Question 38

What is wrong with Herodotus' understanding of the Ionian Revolt?

Answer 38

1. He writes as thought the revolt occurred due to the personal motivations of Aristagoras (thus overlooking the very real grievances of the Ionian states) 2. He does NOT understand Persian monarchy (how would he have access to sources on them if he never went to Persia)

Question 39

What were the 3 true causes for the Ionian Revolt?

Answer 39

1. Ionian hatred for Persian puppet Tyrannies 2. Economic hardship in Ionia (due to Persian rule) 3. Desire for Ionian liberty and freedom

Question 40

Who were the 4 Persian collaborators (Medizing States)?

Answer 40

1. Macedonia 2. Thessaly 3. Boeotia 4. Aegina

Question 41

Which Macedonian King renewed vassal status with Persia in 492 BC?

Answer 41

Alexander Ist

Question 42

True or False: When demanded, the Spartans did not give earth and water to the Persians.

Answer 42

FALSE The Spartan King Demeratos actually DID at first The other Spartan King, Kleomenes was furious, and Demeratos flees to Persia!

Question 43

Which Spartan King gave earth and water to Persia?

Answer 43

Demeratos

Question 44

What was the name of the messenger at Marathon?

Answer 44

Phillipides

Question 45

Who was the tiebreaker, urging the Athenian command NOT to wait for the Spartans to arrive at Marathon?

Answer 45

Kallimachos

Question 46

What religious festival prevented the Spartans from arriving to Marathon on time?

Answer 46

Carneia

Question 47

What did Hippias dream on the eve of Marathon?

Answer 47

That he fell and chipped a tooth (bad omen --> signified he was too old and had bad fortune in commanding the Persian army)

Question 48

What other polis helped the Athenians at Marathon?

Answer 48

The Plateans (sent 2000 hoplites)

Question 49

Who were blamed for the infamous "Shield Signal" at Marathon?

Answer 49

The Alkmeonidai

Question 50

Which clan was Herodotus likely family friends with?

Answer 50

The Alkmeonidai

Question 51

What does the Serpent Column at Delphi represent?

Answer 51

All Greeks who stood up against the Persian Invaders

Question 52

According to Herodotus, what did Xerxes do to the Hellespont water?

Answer 52

Xerxes threw chains at the Hellespont shoreline to enslave it.

Question 53

How does Herodotus portray Xerxes?

Answer 53

As a crazy overambitious Villain, with violent mood swings and temper tantrums.

Question 54

What did Xerxes do that insulted the gods?

Answer 54

He bridged the Hellespont (The God's intentionally separated Greece and Asia, and Xerxes is arrogant enough to bridge them!)

Question 55

What does Athens discover shortly after Marathon?

Answer 55

More silver mines nearby!

Question 56

What does Themistokles persuade Athens to do with the silver?

Answer 56

Usually, the silver would be divided amongst the citizens, BUT, Themistokles convinces Athens to use it to build a new FLEET.

Question 57

Who founded the Hellenic League?

Answer 57

Themistokles

Question 58

What does the 1st oracle tell Themistokles?

Answer 58

Xerxes is invading?? RUN!

Question 59

What does the 2nd oracle tell Themistokles?

Answer 59

"Trust in the Wooden Walls"