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The Entire History of the Persian Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BC) / Ancient History Documentary

History Time・42 minutes read

In 480 BC, a massive Persian army led by King Xerxes threatened Greece, despite the empire's powerful history under leaders like Cyrus the Great. The Persians' conflicts with various nations and leaders, such as Lydia under Croesus and later with Alexander the Great, shaped the empire's rise and eventual fall.

Insights

  • The Persian Empire, led by King Xerxes, was a formidable force with a diverse army, worshipping Ahura Mazda, absorbing other cultures into their empire, and facing significant rebellions before launching a pivotal invasion of Greece in 480 BC.
  • Cyrus the Great and his successor Darius played crucial roles in establishing and expanding the Persian Empire, emphasizing religious tolerance, just rule, and military prowess, laying the foundation for the Achaemenid dynasty's legacy despite facing internal and external challenges.

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  • Who was Cyrus the Great?

    Cyrus the Great was a Persian king.

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Summary

00:00

"The Rise of the Persian Empire"

  • In 480 BC, a massive Persian army and fleet threatened Greece, comprising over 2.5 million men from various nations, including Medes, Babylonians, Phoenicians, Egyptians, and others.
  • The Persian Empire, led by King Xerxes, was the most powerful state in history, with a grand army of around 100,000 to 200,000 men, including subjects from a vast land empire.
  • The Persians worshipped deities of the natural world, particularly Ahura Mazda, allowing them to absorb other pantheons and subject peoples into their empire with leniency.
  • The Ionian Greeks revolted against Persian rule, leading to the burning of the city of Sardis, prompting the Persians, under King Darius, to turn their attention to the Greek mainland.
  • The Persians, including the Medes, were Indo-European tribes migrating from Central Asia to the Iranian plateau, eventually forming a powerful kingdom under King Cyaxaris.
  • The Medes allied with Babylon and Scythians to conquer the Assyrian Empire, dividing its territories with Babylon and expanding into Anatolia.
  • After a prolonged conflict with the Lydians, a peace treaty was reached in 585 BC, followed by the reign of Astiagis, who married his daughter to the Persian vassal Cambyses.
  • Cyrus II, known as Cyrus the Great, emerged as Persia's greatest king, overthrowing Astiagis around 550 BC and unifying the Persian-Median state.
  • Cyrus established his capital at Pasargadae, showing mercy to Astiagis, a rare act in ancient times, and becoming a revered figure in the Middle East.
  • Accounts of Cyrus's life vary among ancient writers, with legends surrounding his birth and upbringing, but agree on his political acumen and military prowess in establishing the Persian Empire.

22:47

Cyrus the Great: Conqueror and Benevolent Ruler

  • Cyrus treated defeated enemies with dignity and respect, allowing him to rule over a diverse group of peoples with tolerance for their customs and religion.
  • Lydia and Babylon, viewing Cyrus as a usurper, confronted him, leading to a stalemate with Lydia's King Croesus.
  • Croesus, confident after victories against Greek city-states, underestimated Cyrus, who pursued and absorbed Lydia into his empire.
  • Cyrus famously conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire, treating its citizens kindly and portraying himself as Marduk's chosen representative.
  • Cyrus freed the Jews from Babylonian exile, allowing them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple.
  • A clay cylinder found in Babylon confirmed Cyrus's benevolent rule, emphasizing religious tolerance and justice.
  • The Achaemenids likely practiced Zoroastrianism, a religion emphasizing a cosmic struggle between good and evil.
  • Cyrus expanded his empire into Central Asia and planned to conquer Egypt, but his death in battle with nomadic tribes halted his ambitions.
  • Darius the Great succeeded Cyrus, consolidating power after a crisis following Cambyses' death and defeating a usurper to claim the throne.
  • Darius's rise to power, as depicted in the Behistun Inscription, involved a complex narrative involving the slaying of a usurper and claiming royal lineage.

44:51

"Achaemenid Dynasty: Rise, Expansion, and Fall"

  • The Achaemenids dynasty was established with Darius as a descendant of Cyrus, facing challenges from imposter kings and rebels across the realm.
  • Darius, a skilled military commander, quelled 19 rebellions in a year with allies, solidifying his rule by 522 BC.
  • Darius divided the empire into provinces called satrapies, each governed by hand-picked officials related to the royal house.
  • Darius initiated large construction projects, including the Royal Road from Susa to Sardis and a canal from the Red Sea to the Nile.
  • Persepolis, a new capital city, was built by Darius in the Persian heartland, renowned for its opulence.
  • Darius expanded the empire's borders into Central Asia and the east, setting the stage for the Greco-Persian Wars.
  • Xerxes, Darius' successor, faced rebellions in Egypt and Babylon before launching an invasion of Greece in 480 BC.
  • Xerxes' invasion of Greece led to significant battles at Thermopylae and Salamis, altering the course of Greek history.
  • Artaxerxes II succeeded Xerxes, maintaining stability but facing challenges from Greek factions and internal strife.
  • The Achaemenid dynasty faced further turmoil under Artaxerxes III and Artaxerxes IV, culminating in the reign of Darius III, the last Achaemenid king, during the rise of Macedonia under Philip II.

01:07:01

Alexander the Great Conquers Persian Empire

  • Philip planned to invade the Persian Empire but was assassinated, succeeded by his son Alexander, who faced mismanagement and corruption in the imperial system.
  • Alexander, at 18, led Greece into Asia Minor, defeating Persians at Granicus River and occupying most of Asia Minor by 333 BC.
  • He continued south, defeating Darius III at Issus, refusing a peace offering, and triumphing at Gaugamela in 331 BC, taking over the Persian Empire.
  • Alexander rode into Egypt in 332 BC, treated as a hero, and continued to conquer Persia, burning Persepolis in revenge or symbolism.
  • Darius fled, was killed by Bessus, ending the Achaemenid line, with Alexander rejecting Bessus's offer of succession, leading to the empire's division after Alexander's death in 323 BC.
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