Lesson 3: Greece and Persia

Key Idea

The Persian Empire grew into the largest the world had yet seen. To manage this vast territory, King Darius I divided it into provinces called satrapies. A governor, known as a satrap, ruled each province, collected taxes, and enforced the king’s laws.

To unite the empire, the Persians built a system of roads. The famous Royal Road allowed messengers and a professional army to travel quickly across great distances. This organization helped Persian kings maintain control over their diverse lands before their conflict with the Greeks.

Key Idea

The Persians followed a religion called Zoroastrianism. It was one of the first monotheistic faiths, meaning its followers believed in one main god. This god was named Ahura Mazda, who represented truth and light in a struggle against evil.

Persian kings believed they were chosen by Ahura Mazda to rule the empire. This divine support gave the king immense authority and a responsibility to govern justly. The king's power was not just political but also seen as a sacred duty granted from heaven.

Key Idea

The Greco-Persian Wars began in 499 B.C.E. when Greek city-states in a region called Ionia rebelled against the Persian Empire. These cities were unhappy with foreign rule and wanted to be independent again.

The Ionians asked for help from mainland Greece. Athens sent ships and soldiers to support the Ionian Revolt. This support angered the Persian king, Darius.

Key Idea

The Greeks were outnumbered by the huge Persian army. To win, they relied on smart military strategy and their knowledge of the land and sea. They used geography to create advantages in major battles.

At the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C.E., a clever plan allowed the Athenians to surround the Persians. Greek soldiers also had superior weapons, like heavy bronze armor and long spears, which helped them defeat the lightly armed Persian infantry.