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Lesson #7A Growing Challenge in the East
500 Years Before JesusLived…
CYRUS THE
GREAT BUILT A LARGE
EMPIRE!
The Persian Empirewas the greatest theworld had ever seen.
His empire included all of Southwest and Central Asia, Mesopotamia and several Greek cities.
How did Cyrus create such a large empire?1. He had a very strong and large army.
2. His army included a very large cavalry.
3. People Cyrus didn’t rebel against him.
4. People did not rebel because Cyrus was kind to the people he conquered and did not force them to change their culture.
The Rise of Darius ICyrus dies
His son takes over but dies in a battle.No clear leader stepped up to take his place.
After 4 years, a prince named Darius killed all his rivals and claimed the throne.
Darius strengthensthe empire…
Darius knew the empire was getting too big…
He strengthens it by dividing it into 20 parts, each with its own leader called a satrap…
Smaller parts are easier to manage than one big part…
Darius understood his empire needed good roads to connect it…
With these “royal roads”, information and orders moved quicker…
Darius would soon have a problem called The Greeks.
Greek colonies in Ionia had been conquered by the Persians and
in 499 BC, some rebel.
Darius’ army crushes therevolt but… some Greek city-states
try to help their colonies.
Darius is filled with
RAGE! How dare the Greeks
interfere with his plans!
Darius wants REVENGE!
THE PERSIAN WARS Nine
years later, the
Persians
invade Greece
!
The Battle of MarathonThe army of
Athens is outnumbered by 4,000
men but they trick
the Persians and steal
the victory!
