Download Persia Attacks the Greeks

Persia Attacks the
Greeks
CH. 7 SECTION 3
The Persian Empire

Early Persians- warriors and nomads. (herded cattle)

Cyrus the Great- united Persians into a powerful kingdom.

Treated all of his subjects well- helped to keep the empire together.

Kingdom was larger than U.S. – built roads to connect to cities (Royal
Road).

Darius- took over after Cyrus – reorganized the government to make it
better.

Divided empire into 20 provinces (satrapies) ruled by a satrap.

Satrap- acted as tax collector, judge, police chief- still answered to
Persian king.

Persia had a large army of professional soldiers.

Zoroastrianism- religion of Persia- belief in 1 God.
The Persian Wars

*The Battle of Marathon- Greeks v. Persians

Persian fleet of 20,000 soldiers landed in Marathon (near Athens).

Athenians did NOT attack- they waited for the Persians to advance.

Athenians defeated the Persians.

Legend: Athenians send Pheidippides home with the good news.

Marathons today named after this battle.
The Persian Wars

*Another Persian Strike

After Darius died, his son, Xerxer, became Persian king

Wanted revenge against Athenians.

Persians attacked Greece- Greeks joined forces.

Themistocles (Athenian general)

Battle at Salamis- (a straight) Greek fleet attacked the Persians & won
but the Persians burned Athens.

Greek army crushed Persian army at Plataea.
The Persian Wars

*What caused the Persian Empire to fall?

Greeks defeated Persians – weakened the empire.

New Persian ruler raised taxes to gain wealth.

Angry subjects = many rebellions

All men in royal family wanted throne = murders!

Persia was weak – Alexander attacked (Greek)

Alexander the Great took control of the empire.