The Persian Empire - The Rise and Fall of one of the Greatest Empires in History-Great Civilizations

Summary

This historical narrative explores the rise and fall of the Persian Empire, detailing the early accounts of Persian tribes and their revolt against the Assyrian Empire. It highlights the reign of Cyrus the Great, who established the Achaemenid dynasty and expanded the empire through strategic conquests. The script also covers Cyrus's benevolence, the military innovations of the Persians, and their Zoroastrian religion. It concludes with the empire's eventual decline under King Darius III and the conquests of Alexander the Great, emphasizing the Persians' enduring legacy in human history.

Takeaways

• 🏰 The Persians emerged as a significant force in Iranian lands during a time when empires were expanding, and they eventually formed one of the greatest empires of the ancient world.
• 👑 Cyrus the Great, who founded the Achaemenid dynasty, is a semi-legendary figure known for his benevolence and expansionist policies, leading to the conquest of vast territories.
• 🛡 The Persian military was renowned for its archers and innovative tactics, such as using horse and camel-mounted archers, which contributed to their victories over the Greeks and others.
• 🕍 Cyrus the Great is noted for his respect for the cultures and religions of the conquered peoples, exemplified by his decree to liberate the Jews from Babylonian captivity and his abolition of slavery.
• 📜 The Cyrus Cylinder, a clay document in cuneiform writing, is considered one of the world's first declarations of human rights, reflecting Cyrus's progressive policies.
• 🌍 At its zenith, the Persian Empire spanned across three continents—Asia, Africa, and Europe—making it one of the largest empires in history.
• 🏹 The Persian army was culturally diverse, composed of various ethnic groups, and the elite force, the 'Immortals,' were known for their discipline and never retreating from battle.
• 🏗️ Persepolis, one of the empire's capitals, was an architectural marvel built by free laborers and showcased the wealth and sophistication of the Persian Empire.
• 🔥 The Persian Empire faced numerous revolts, particularly from Greek city-states, leading to a series of conflicts known as the Median Wars.
• ⚔️ Xerxes I continued the war against the Greeks, including the famous battles of Thermopylae and Salamis, but ultimately failed to conquer Greece and was later assassinated.
• 🏰 The fall of the Persian Empire began with internal strife and revolts, culminating in its conquest by Alexander the Great, who admired and respected Persian culture and its legacy.

Q & A

Who are the Persians and where did they originate?

The Persians were an ancient Iranian people who first appeared in the Syrian writings as 'Parswa'. They, along with other tribes like the Medians and Babylonians, were under Syrian rule before rebelling and contributing to the fall of the Assyrian Empire.

What was the significance of the revolt around 609 BC by the Persians and other tribes?

The revolt around 609 BC by the Persians, Medians, and Babylonians was significant as it led to the collapse of the Assyrian Empire, allowing these tribes to gain more independence and eventually establish their own empires.

Who is considered the first Persian king, and what lineage did he establish?

The first Persian king was a semi-legendary figure named Akamenes. He founded the Achaemenid dynasty, which would later rule over one of the greatest empires of the ancient world.

How did Cyrus II, also known as Cyrus the Great, rise to power?

Cyrus II, or Cyrus the Great, became king of Persia in 559 BC. His rise to power was marked by a series of events including his grandfather Astyages' attempt to have him killed as a baby, which failed, and Cyrus eventually returning to claim his throne after amassing popular support.

What was the impact of Cyrus the Great's conquests on the territories he ruled?

Cyrus the Great's conquests led to the expansion of the Persian Empire, which at its height covered a vast territory rich in natural resources. He also liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity, an act that earned him respect and support from many conquered peoples.

Why did the Persians have a conflict with the Greeks?

The conflict between the Persians and the Greeks arose as the Greeks, particularly the kingdom of Lydia, refused to be ruled by the Persians. This led to a series of battles, including the famous battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.

What was the Cyrus Cylinder and why is it significant?

The Cyrus Cylinder is a clay document in cuneiform writing that contains a decree issued by Cyrus the Great, which is considered the world's first human rights law. It states his intention to prevent slavery and to enjoin his rulers and subjects to prohibit the exchange of men and women as slaves.

How did the Persian Empire manage to control such a vast territory?

The Persian Empire managed its vast territory by maintaining multiple capitals, which allowed them to keep control and communicate effectively with different regions. This strategy was crucial for governing such a diverse and expansive empire.

What was the role of the 'Immortals' in the Persian army?

The 'Immortals' were an elite force of 10,000 highly trained men who served as the royal guard of the Persian army. They were known for their discipline, never retreating from battle, and always maintaining their numbers by immediately replacing fallen warriors.

What was the significance of the Battle of Issus and how did it impact the Persian Empire?

The Battle of Issus was significant as it resulted in the defeat of King Darius III by Alexander the Great. This defeat marked a turning point for the Persian Empire, leading to its eventual conquest by Alexander and the end of the Achaemenid dynasty.

How did the Persian Empire's legacy influence the regions it once ruled?

The Persian Empire left a lasting legacy in the regions it once ruled, influencing social structures, systems of government, and cultural practices. Many historians agree that the empire established by the Persians laid the groundwork for the territories that Alexander the Great later conquered.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 Rise of the Persian Empire

The script narrates the rise of the Persian Empire under the leadership of Cyrus the Great. It begins with the historical context of powerful kings and the emergence of the Persians in Iranian lands. The Persian tribes, including the Achaemenids, initially under Syrian rule, revolted around 609 BC, leading to the collapse of the Assyrian Empire. The narrative introduces the semi-legendary figure of the first Persian king, Akamenes, and the rise of the Achaemenid dynasty. Cyrus II, known as Cyrus the Great, becomes the king of Persia in 559 BC. His early life, including a prophecy and a near execution, is recounted. Cyrus's military campaigns, including the conquest of Lydia and Babylon, and his benevolent rule, such as the liberation of the Jews and the abolition of slavery, are highlighted. His death in battle and the subsequent expansion of the empire are also mentioned.

05:02

🏹 Military and Cultural Achievements of the Persians

This paragraph delves into the military prowess and cultural achievements of the Persian Empire. It discusses the empire's vast territory, the military strategies and the significance of the Persian cavalry. The Persians' cultural values, such as the importance of truth and honor, and the punishment for dishonesty, are highlighted. The structure of the Persian army, including the elite force known as the Immortals, is described. The empire's administrative system, with multiple capitals to govern the extensive territories, and the construction of the city of Persepolis are also covered. The paragraph introduces Zoroastrianism as the empire's religion and its foundational beliefs. It also touches upon the challenges faced by the empire, particularly with the Greek city-states, and the efforts of King Darius I to conquer Greece, including the construction of a bridge over the Bosphorus Strait.

10:04

🔥 The Greco-Persian Wars and the Fall of the Persian Empire

The final paragraph covers the Greco-Persian Wars, focusing on the battles and the eventual decline of the Persian Empire. It details the reign of Xerxes I, his continuation of the war against Greece, and the significant battles such as Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea. The narrative includes the defeat of the Spartans at Thermopylae, the sacking of Athens, and the subsequent Greek naval victory that forced Xerxes to retreat. Xerxes's assassination and the empire's subsequent internal struggles are mentioned. The paragraph concludes with the invasion of Alexander the Great, the defeat of Darius III, and the sack of Persepolis, marking the end of the Achaemenid dynasty. The legacy of the Persians in terms of their social systems and government is acknowledged, and the narrative contrasts popular portrayals with the historical sophistication of the Persian Empire.

Keywords

💡Achaemenid Empire

The Achaemenid Empire, also known as the First Persian Empire, was an ancient Iranian empire that existed from 550 to 330 BC and was the largest empire of its time. It was founded by Cyrus the Great and was characterized by its vast territories, diverse cultures, and significant advancements in governance and military strategy. The empire's influence extended across three continents, Asia, Africa, and Europe, and it played a pivotal role in shaping the ancient world. In the video, the Achaemenid Empire is highlighted as the entity that Cyrus the Great and his successors ruled, expanding through conquests and establishing a legacy that influenced subsequent empires.

💡Cyrus the Great

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire and is considered one of history's greatest rulers. He is known for his military conquests, which led to the expansion of the Persian Empire, and for his benevolent rule, which included the liberation of the Jews from Babylonian captivity. The video script mentions Cyrus's rise to power, his conquests, and his reputation as a just and generous leader. His legacy is further emphasized by the 'Cyrus Cylinder,' which is considered one of the world's first declarations of human rights.

💡Assyrian Empire

The Assyrian Empire was a major Mesopotamian kingdom that existed between the 25th and 7th centuries BC. It was known for its military might and was a dominant power in the ancient Near East. In the context of the video, the Assyrian Empire is mentioned as the ruling power under which various tribes, including the Persians, Medians, and Babylonians, lived before they revolted and led to the empire's collapse around 609 BC. This revolt set the stage for the rise of the Persian Empire.

💡Median Empire

The Median Empire was an ancient kingdom that existed in what is now western and northwestern Iran from approximately 678 BC to 550 BC. It was a significant power in the region and is mentioned in the video as the empire that ruled over the Persian tribes before Cyrus the Great came to power. The Median Empire played a crucial role in the region's history as it was eventually conquered by Cyrus the Great, leading to the rise of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.

💡Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions, founded by the prophet Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra). It was the state religion of the Achaemenid Empire and is characterized by its belief in one supreme god, Ahura Mazda, and the concept of an ongoing struggle between good and evil. The video highlights Zoroastrianism as the predominant religion of the Persian Empire, influencing the empire's culture and society. It also mentions the Cyrus Cylinder, which bears inscriptions reflecting the religious and ethical principles of Zoroastrianism.

💡Immortals

The Immortals were an elite military unit in the Achaemenid army, consisting of 10,000 highly trained soldiers who served as the personal guard of the Persian king. They were known for their discipline, loyalty, and fierce fighting abilities. The video describes the Immortals as a force of exceptional warriors who were always ready to defend the king and maintain order within the empire. Their name 'Immortals' is derived from the fact that they were always at full strength, as any fallen soldier was immediately replaced.

💡Persepolis

Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Empire and a showcase of the empire's architectural grandeur and artistic achievements. It was built by Darius the Great and later kings and was the site of major events and ceremonies. The video mentions Persepolis as a symbol of the empire's wealth and power, highlighting its impressive palaces and the fact that it was constructed by free laborers who were paid for their work.

💡Darius the Great

Darius the Great, also known as Darius I, was the third king of the Achaemenid Empire and is remembered for his military conquests and administrative reforms. He is credited with the organization of the empire into provinces and the standardization of weights and measures. In the video, Darius the Great is noted for his efforts to expand the empire and for initiating the construction of Persepolis, which became a symbol of Persian power and culture.

💡Xerxes I

Xerxes I, also known as Xerxes the Great, was the son of Darius the Great and one of the most famous kings of the Achaemenid Empire. He is known for continuing his father's military campaigns, particularly against the Greek city-states, which led to the Greco-Persian Wars. The video recounts Xerxes' invasion of Greece, the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis, and his eventual defeat, which marked a turning point in the empire's fortunes and contributed to its eventual decline.

💡Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great was a Macedonian king who created one of the largest empires in the ancient world through a series of conquests. He is known for his military genius and for spreading Greek culture throughout his empire. In the video, Alexander the Great is depicted as the conqueror who brought an end to the Achaemenid Empire by defeating Darius III and capturing the Persian capital, Persepolis. His conquests marked the end of the Persian Empire and the beginning of the Hellenistic period.

Highlights

The Persians emerged as a significant force in Iranian lands during a time of powerful kings and empire expansion.

The earliest accounts of the Persians are found in Syrian writings, where they are referred to as Parswa.

In 609 BC, Persian tribes, along with Medians and Babylonians, revolted against Syrian rule, leading to the collapse of the Assyrian Empire.

Akamenese, the first Persian king, founded the Achaemenid line that would rule over one of the greatest empires of the ancient world.

Cyrus II, known as Cyrus the Great, became king of Persia in 559 BC and expanded the empire significantly.

Herodotus recounts a story of Cyrus's grandfather Astyages having a dream that led to Cyrus being raised by a shepherd.

Cyrus the Great conquered the capital of the Mediterranean Empire and ruled over a vast territory rich in natural resources.

The Persians defeated the Greeks and the Kingdom of Lydia, incorporating it into their empire by 539 BC.

Cyrus and his army captured Babylon, and were welcomed as liberators by the Babylonians.

The Persians liberated the Jews from Babylonian captivity, ending a famous period of enslavement.

Cyrus the Great is known for his benevolence, including the abolition of slavery and the issuance of a decree considered the world's first human rights law.

The Persian Empire, at its peak, covered Asia, Africa, and Europe, encompassing 8 million square miles.

The Persian military was superior due to their war-like culture and the use of exceptional horse breeds.

Persian society valued truth and honor, with lying being punishable by death in some cases.

The elite warriors of the Persian army were the Immortals, a force of 10,000 highly trained men who served as the royal guard.

Persepolis was the most luxurious city of the empire, built by free laborers and initiated by King Darius the First.

Zoroastrianism, the Persian religion, is considered the first monotheistic religion and included beliefs in a divine paradise, hell, and resurrection.

The Persian Empire faced constant revolts, especially from Greek cities, leading to conflicts such as the Median Wars.

Xerxes I continued his father's war against the Greeks, including the famous battles of Marathon, Thermopylae, Salamis, and Plataea.

After the death of Xerxes I, the Persians ceased their attempts to conquer Greece, which may have saved much of Europe from Persian rule.

Alexander the Great defeated the Persian King Darius III and conquered many territories that had previously belonged to the Persians.

The Persians left a significant legacy in human history, influencing social areas, systems of government, and culture.

Transcripts

at a time when powerful kings ruled with

an iron fist

and wanted to expand their influence to

create great empires

a newly emerging force began to gain

ground in the iranian lands

the earliest accounts of the persians

are found in the syrian writings

where they are referred to as parswa the

persian tribes

along with other peoples such as the

medians and babylonians

spent a long time under syrian rule

however

around 609 bc these peoples launched a

huge revolt

that had such an impact that it caused

the collapse of the assyrian

empire during this time the

semi-legendary figure of the first

persian king called akamenese emerged

although not much is known about a

caimanese he founded the akamen in line

that would rule over one of the greatest

empires of the ancient world

among the many persian tribes the

achaemenids were the most powerful

and for many years they ruled smaller

tribes and conquered more territory

but they were still under the rule of

the median empire

by 559 bc cyrus ii

better known as cyrus the great became

king of persia

his rise was troubled however and the

presidents tell

a surprising story to say the least

the greek historian herodotus tells that

astaya geez

cyrus's grandfather ruled persia

one night he had a dream in which he saw

that cyrus would become ruler of

all asia fearing that he would lose his

authority

astayas ordered his butler to take cyrus

who was still a baby to the mountains

and kill him there

but the butler could not find the

strength to carry out this cruel task

and handed the baby over to be raised by

a shepherd

astaiges was furious when he heard this

and had the butler's son

killed when cyrus was old enough he

returned to his country

after revealing his identity and

amassing popular support

he dethroned astayas and presented his

claim to

the throne sparing his grandfather's

life in the end

despite everything cyrus the great

was an expansionist king and under his

reign the persians conquered the capital

of the mediterranean empire

and ruled over an incredibly large

territory

rich in natural resources but there was

still an

obstacle from the mediterranean that

threatened cyrus's sovereignty

the greeks after the collapse of the

hittite

empire in the late bronze age anatolia

was settled by greek colonies that

formed the kingdom of lydia

which refused to be ruled by the

persians

initially the greeks attacked the

persian territories

believing that the greek cavalry was

superior

but to their surprise the persians were

quite effective with their horse and

camel mounted archers

the persians brilliantly defeated the

greeks and the kingdom of lydia

was ruled by cyrus as early as 539

bc cyrus and his army besieged babylon

and captured it the persians were

welcomed as liberators by the

babylonians

who suffered from an abusive rule by

king nebonidus

the persians not only restored political

order in babylon

but also liberated the jews who were

captive in the city

ending the famous period of babylonian

captivity

thus judea became an allied kingdom of

the persians

and his territory served as protection

against the egyptians

the persians also developed a good

relationship with phoenicians

who were great traitors and navigators

cyrus the great was also known for being

a generous and benevolent king

he forgave his defeated enemies and even

placed them

in positions in his army or government

he was also known for respecting the

religious beliefs of the peoples he

conquered

perhaps one of his most memorable acts

was the abolition of slavery during his

reign

an act that clashed against all the

customs of his time

to reinforce his noble decision cyrus

issued a decree

that is considered the world's first

human rights law

the decree states i will prevent slavery

and my rulers and subjects are enjoined

to prohibit the exchange of men and

women as slaves

in their spheres of government such a

tradition shall be eradicated throughout

the world

this decree is a bit of clay in

cuneiform writing

known as the cyrus cylinder in fact many

peoples were happier

and better off under persian rule cyrus

ruled a variety of different cultures

and societies in good harmony a feat

unprecedented

in human history earning him the title

of the later shepherd king

cyrus died in december 530 bc

not much is known about his death but

all signs are that he died from injuries

sustained in a battle

against nomadic equestrian tribes he is

buried at pasargarde

in an incredibly modest tomb for a man

who commanded such a large and wealthy

empire

after his death the persian empire

continued to expand

and at its peak encompassed some 8

million square miles

covering asia africa and europe

the military superiority of the persians

was due to their natural war-like

culture

in which warriors and generals were

praised for their strength and bravery

in battle

the persians were known to have the best

horses in the world

they bred a breed calling which was

famous for being large

agile horses with fiery and aggressive

temperaments

perfect for the battlefield it was said

that a true persian learned three things

from childhood

writing archery and telling the truth

telling lies being dishonest or

observing corruption

was punishable by death in some cases

those who observed truth and honor were

highly respected in society

the main strength of the persian army

was in their archers

whether on horseback or on foot they

also made good use of camels

as the size and smell of these animals

frightened the horses of the enemy army

since the persian army spans many

different countries the army was

composed

of many peoples of different cultures

including persians

medians phoenicians chaldeans and even

egyptians and greeks in the military

ranks

the elite warriors were the immortals a

force of 10

000 highly trained men who served as the

royal guard

the immortals followed the persian model

and wore colorful clothing

heavy armor helmets sometimes even mass

a spear with an iron tip and a

counterweight on the other end

they also carried bows and arrows the

immortals fought in a disciplined way

and never backed down from the enemy

whenever warrior fell

in battle he was immediately replaced by

one of his fellows

giving the impression that he was

returning from the dead

as a system of government the persians

maintained many capitals

a fine method to keep control over the

vast territory

of the empire persepolis was the most

luxurious and impressive city of the

empire

whose edification was initiated by king

darius the first

the persepolis terrorists is more than

125

000 square meters and the walls of the

palaces are up to 20 meters high

another impressive fact about persepolis

is that it was built by free laborers

men and women were paid according to

their role in the construction

the persian religion was zoroastrianism

founded by the prophet zarathustra

and considered the first monotheistic

religion in history

zoroastrianism also includes belief in a

divine paradise

a hell and its demons believe in the

coming of a messiah

and resurrection and a final judgment in

which all souls will be judged

zoroastrianism exists to this day and is

worshiped by some people living in iran

and india in 499 bc

the persian empire was already

unbelievably large

however with such a huge territory

problems also increased

especially the problems with the greek

cities in macedonia

thrace and lydia which led to constant

revolts

the greeks were always proud of their

freedom and fought with

all their might to defend their

city-states the persian king derised the

first

was a great king and accomplished many

things for the persian people

and the nations he ruled derise the

first

vowed to conquer all of greece but to do

so he would have to cross the black sea

with his huge army this would take many

months

and give the greeks a chance to

strengthen their defenses

to solve this problem the riots applied

an ingenious solution

the persians assembled many ships and

built a bridge that connected anatolia

with

europe at a place called the bosphorus

strait

according to herodotus de rise the first

managed to cross about 70

000 or 80 000 persian soldiers in this

way

despite some victories in macedonia

derise the first had difficulties

against the greeks he planned to retreat

to persia

and return with more soldiers but he

finally died a natural death

before he could achieve his dream the

one who took the throne and continued to

rise his wish

was his son xerxes the first

the famous king xerxes was the son of

kingdom rise the first with queen atosa

being the grandson of cyrus the great in

the biblical text of the old testament

he is called by the name ahazorsas and

it is known that he married esther who

was of jewish origin

xerxes continued the war against the

greeks in a period that has gone down in

history

as the median wars several epic battles

took place

such as the battle of marathon the

battle of thermopylae

the battle of salamis and the battle of

platya

under xerxes the persians fought against

king leonidas

and his 300 spartans supported by

another 6 000 greeks from various cities

after defeating the spartans at the

battle of thermopylae

xerxes and his army managed to sack the

powerful city

of athens enraged by the stubborn

resistance of the greeks

xerxes ordered athens burned to the

ground

even though this violated persian custom

to protect conquered cities

and their inhabitants much of athens was

destroyed

including the sanctuaries the next day

after appeasing his anger

xerxes repented and had athens rebuilt

in response to this attack the greeks

assembled a large fleet of ships

commanded by the athenian general the

mystocles

the greeks destroyed the persian ships

and xerxes had to quickly retreat to his

territories

to avoid being trapped with his army in

greece

xerxes returned to persia

psychologically devastated

at losing so many men and the chance to

conquer greece

and was finally murdered in 465 bc

in a political conspiracy devised by one

of his ministers

after the death of xerxes the persians

gave up trying to conquer

greece which probably saved much of

europe from being swallowed up

by the persian empire after many years

of battles and turbulent successions

all was not well in the empire

the egyptians who were under persian

rule revolted

and many other kingdoms followed suit

until 336 bc

the persian empire was ruled by king

darius iii

however in 334 bc alexander the great

left macedonia and began his campaign

conquering many territories that had

previously belonged to the persians

after years of fighting king darius iii

was defeated by alexander at the battle

of isis

and fled with his family to the city of

ekbatana

alexander went to mesopotamia and

eventually captured the city of

persepolis

although alexander was not in favor of

unnecessary destruction and violence

things became chaotic in the persian

cities taken by the greeks

persepolis was sacked and burned down

and the same happened

in pasar gotti the story goes that

alexander went to pasargade to visit

the tomb of cyrus the great a man

alexander began to admire because of the

stories he was told

when alexander arrived he was confused

and angry to learn that cyrus's tomb had

been desecrated

and looted probably by persian priests

he had cyrus's tomb rebuilt and punished

the priests

the ruler of ekbaktana betrayed king

darius iii

and had him assassinated which marked

the end of the last of the persian kings

of the caymented line

although he was his enemy alexander held

a grand

and righteous funeral for darius iii and

cruelly punished

those who ordered the death of his rival

although some works of popular culture

portrayed the persians

as bloodthirsty and cruel invaders the

truth

is that they were very sophisticated for

their time

especially in social areas and systems

of government

many historians agree that alexander the

great did not build an empire

but conquered one that the persians had

established centuries before his birth

whether as skilled warriors wise kings

or ruthless conquerors

the persians have left a precious legacy

to human history

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