In the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker, Alexander, discusses the ancient Persian empire of the Achemenids, one of the world's first large civilizations that extended beyond its borders and covered a vast territory. The Persian empire emerged around 500 BCE and controlled a significant population and territory, making it one of the largest entities in the ancient world. The Persian Empire was the second major world power in history, after the Assyrian Empire, and controlled nearly half of the world's population in the sixth century BCE.
The Persian Empire's rise to power began with the decline of the Assyrian Empire and the emergence of various civilizations, such as the Syrian-Babylonian Empire and the Hittite Empire. The region of Media, inhabited by Iranian Aryan tribes, played a significant role in the Persians' emergence as a dominant force in the ancient world. The Medes established the earliest state in the region, with Suza as its capital, but were eventually surpassed in power by the Persians.
Cyrus the Great, a Persian ruler, is credited with creating the Persian state by conquering Media, Lydia, and Babylon. Cyrus faced challenges in fully subduing the regions, including conflicts with Lydia and the Massagetes. Despite these challenges, Cyrus expanded the Persian Empire beyond its initial borders and is considered a great conqueror.
The Persian Empire faced continuous challenges from Greece, Malasia, and Egypt, and under Darius I, it experienced instability in the regions of Media Atropatene, Parthia, and Babylon. Cyrus died during a campaign against the Massagetes, and his death marked the end of the Persian Empire's initial expansion. His son Cambyses came to power and is known for his conquest of Egypt, a significant achievement for the Persian Empire.
The speaker also touches upon the unique history and culture of Iran, which continued to exist as a significant and influential state in the Islamic world, often competing with the Ottoman Empire. The Persian Empire's legacy continues to shape the Middle East and the world in various ways.
00:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker, Alexander, discusses the ancient Persian empire of the Achemenids, one of the first "world empires" that extended beyond its borders and covered a vast territory. He explains that the term "empire" is used for clarity and comparison with later periods, although it is of Latin and Roman origin and translates to "highest power." The Persian empire of the Achemenids was not only a new powerful state that conquered other peoples but also a new civilization that lasted for over two and a half thousand years and continued to be a significant and influential state even after being conquered by Alexander the Great. The Parthian Empire, a successor state, was particularly noteworthy. The Persian empire of the Sassanids also emerged and successfully competed with the Byzantine and Roman empires but eventually fell under Arab conquests. Iran, which was predominantly Shia during this period, continued to exist as a significant and influential state in the Islamic world, often competing with the Ottoman Empire. The speaker also mentions that Iran has had a unique history and culture that sets it apart even within the Islamic world.
00:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses how the Persian Empire of the Achemenids, which emerged around 500 BCE, was a significant and influential civilization that arose from the ruins of various earlier states. This civilization, which was the first institutionally organized Persian state, included various ethnic groups and extended its influence throughout the Middle East with varying degrees of success. The Persian Empire, which can be considered a world power or even a superpower in a figurative sense, controlled a large population and territory, making it one of the largest and most populous entities in the ancient world, even surpassing the Roman Empire in size and population at its peak. The speaker also notes that the Persian Empire was the second major world power in history, after the Assyrian Empire, and that it controlled nearly half of the world's population in the sixth century BCE. The Persian Empire's rise to power began with the decline of the Assyrian Empire, and other significant civilizations, such as the Syrian-Babylonian Empire and the Hittite Empire, also played a role in the Persians' emergence as a dominant force in the ancient world.
00:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the Assyrian Empire, which controlled a significant portion of the Middle East and is considered the first world empire. Assyria's heartland was located in the northern part of the region, along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, with Babylon as its capital. The historical region of Shumer, one of the earliest civilizations, was situated in the south. The Assyrian expansion occurred in various directions, and by the seventh century BCE, Assyria had already disintegrated, leading to several new large-scale political formations. One of these was the Chaldean or Neo-Babylonian Kingdom, which controlled the core lands of the old Babylonian Kingdom and the majority of the Tigris and Euphrates rivers' flow. The New Babylonian Kingdom also included Damascus, Palestine, and Israel. The speaker also mentions the biblical story of the Jewish exile to Babylon, which occurred after the conquest of Palestine and Israel. The Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II, a renowned military leader and conqueror, played a significant role in the Jewish exile. The Babylonian Kingdom, which was founded on the basis of Judaism, later influenced the development of Christianity and European and Russian culture.
00:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the region of Media, which was inhabited by Iranian Aryan tribes that arrived in the area around the middle of the second millennium BCE. These tribes, including the Medes, Parthians, and Persians, were closely related to each other in terms of both ancestry and culture. The speaker notes that the Medes established the earliest state in the region, with Suza as its capital. However, the Medes were eventually surpassed in power by the Persians. The Median Empire, which extended far to the west and east, controlled regions including Urartu, Iranian, and Armenian highlands. Despite not being directly part of the New Babylonian Empire, these cities were still dependent on it. The speaker also mentions that the Medes were not Indo-Europeans but rather had a more complex origin, with possible connections to the Shumerans. The northern and northwestern regions of Media were also under Median control.
00:20:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the geopolitical makeup of ancient Anatolia, or modern-day Turkey. The Midian kingdom, located in eastern Anatolia, held significant influence over the region, extending its control to areas such as Cappadocia. However, the central and western parts of Anatolia were under the control of Lydia, a powerful historical region with its capital in Sardis. Lydia had reached the peak of its economic, military, and cultural influence by the seventh century BCE, despite the presence of Greek colonies along the coast. The speaker also mentions the presence of various smaller states, such as Kilikia, which would later become a natural ally to the Persians. The Greeks, who had colonized the coast, were a significant factor due to their cultural influence. The video also touches upon Egypt, which, despite its cultural and economic significance, was somewhat isolated from the other civilizations of the region due to its geographical location and the dominance of Semitic cultures in the region. Egypt made a strategic move to establish a stronghold on the Sinai Peninsula as a buffer against potential invaders. The speaker notes that Egypt was experiencing challenging times during this period, having moved beyond the Nile Delta's boundaries and extending its influence to the Levant.
00:25:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the geopolitical setup in the Near East during the emergence of the Persian state, focusing on the southern part of the Iranian plateau, historically known as Pars or Fars. This region, which includes the Persian Gulf, was inhabited by various ethnic and cultural groups, including the Persians, who were of Aryan or Indian origin. The Persians were not a single ethnicity or nation at the time but rather a conglomerate of tribes, clans, and rodo-tribal communities.
The Persian realm extended to include various other peoples and tribes, such as the Parthians, Medes, Sakas, Massagetes, and Scythians. This vast region encompassed the northern coast of the Black Sea, the entirety of the Caspian Sea, and large parts of modern-day Afghanistan and Pakistan. The Iranian Aryan tribes had settled in this region relatively early and had been spreading gradually for over a thousand years. The exact origin of the Indo-Aryan peoples is uncertain, with two main hypotheses suggesting that their homeland was either in the region of contemporary Ukraine and southern Russia or in the Armenian Highlands.
The Indo-Aryan peoples, who brought significant cultural and ethnic changes to the region, had spread from the northern Urals towards the southern regions of Russia, Central Asia, and the Iranian plateau around the middle of the second millennium BCE. Their arrival had a profound impact on the region, transforming both the ethnic and cultural landscapes. The Indo-Aryan peoples introduced new military, economic, and cultural innovations, leading to the emergence of new civilizations, such as the Vedic civilization in India and the Achaemenid Empire in Iran.
00:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the origins of the Persians, who are believed to have been named after the word "barsu" or "parsu," meaning a strong, well-built man. This term was particularly applied to Persian warriors, who were skilled in military craft and enabled them to create a vast empire in a short period. The region where the Persians dominated was called Pars, Arshan, or Parsa, and was located near the Pasargadae, one of the main capitals during the reign of Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. The Persians, who controlled Arshan, were initially under the rule of other Iranian tribes, such as the Medes. However, during the reign of Cyrus, a Persian named Ardaban, who was a representative of the ruling clan, became the founder of the Achaemenid dynasty. Despite the short-lived nature of the Median state, which controlled a large territory as shown on the map, it experienced a crisis at the end of the 7th and 8th centuries BCE. The last king of Media, Astyages, was in a familial relationship with Cyrus, and Cyrus led a rebellion against Media, which marked the beginning of the Persian Empire. However, the succession crisis in Media meant that Astyages had no male heir, and his daughter was married to a member of the nobility. According to legend, Astyages ordered his eunuch to take the newborn son of his daughter and leave him in a mountainous area to be devoured by wild animals. When the eunuch returned, he reported that the child had been saved by a shepherd, and Cyrus raised him as his own, eventually becoming the next ruler of the Persian Empire.
00:35:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the legend of the founding of the Persian empire by Cyrus the Great is discussed. According to the legend, Cyrus was a baby who was supposed to be killed by his enemies but was instead taken in and raised by shepherds in the mountains. When Cyrus grew up, around the age of 10-12, he played with the prince's children and was crowned king for a prank. However, a prophecy warned that a ruler named Medes would overthrow the current king, and when a shepherd, believed to be Cyrus' grandfather, recognized him, he changed his attitude and sent Cyrus to Persia. There, Cyrus began his political career, taking advantage of his noble heritage.
However, around the middle of the 6th century BCE, Cyrus led a rebellion against the king, who was not actually his relative. This marked the beginning of a civil war within the Median kingdom. Initially, Cyrus had the support of the military and resources of the existing Median kingdom. However, a faction of the Median nobility, who did not want Cyrus to become the new ruler after the death of the current king, conspired against him. During a military campaign against the Pasargadae, this faction rebelled and formed an alliance with the Persians.
00:40:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses how Cyrus, the ruler of Persia, managed to defeat the Massagetes led by Ostanes, who was forced to retreat after the defeat of his ally, King Phraates of Media. Following this victory, Cyrus established his Persian empire, known as the Achaemenid Empire, by taking over the remaining provinces of the Media kingdom. The speaker also mentions that Cyrus married the daughter of Phraates, making him a legitimate heir to the throne and establishing a succession line. After Cyrus's rule, the Persian Empire continued to expand, with Persepolis becoming the main capital. The speaker also touches upon the conflicting stories regarding the fate of Phraates, with some suggesting that Cyrus made him a counselor or even a satrap (governor), while others claim that he was executed. Overall, Cyrus is portrayed as a great conqueror who expanded the Persian Empire beyond its initial borders.
00:45:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the conflict between Persia and Lydia, a wealthy Greek state located on the western periphery of the Persian Empire. Lydia was the first state to mint gold coins, and its wealth attracted Persia's attention. King Croesus of Lydia, who ruled when Persia attacked, understood that it would be more convenient for Persia to wage war on his territory. However, Lydia had allies, including Greek city-states, and King Cyrus of Persia sent envoys to persuade them to join his side. Some cities agreed, but most remained loyal to Lydia.
Despite taking Sardis, the capital city of Lydia, Persia faced challenges in fully subduing the region. There are differing opinions on what happened to Croesus, with some sources suggesting that Cyrus spared him, while others claim that Cyrus had him killed. Regardless, Persia's attention turned to the Malian Ionian cities and states, which were located even further away. To exert control over this region, Cyrus combined military threats with diplomacy, seeking alliances with Greek city-states in the western part of Anatolia. Despite his earlier threats, Cyrus ultimately sought a compromise with these rulers, recognizing the complexity of the region.
00:50:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the unstable nature of the Persian Empire under Darius I, particularly in the regions of Media Atropatene, Parthia, and Babylon. Despite some success in conquering these areas, Persia faced continuous challenges from Greece, Malasia, and Egypt. The Persian Empire continued to expand, with Cyrus the Great leading campaigns in the east and the south, ultimately conquering the Chaldean New Kingdom of Nineveh. However, the conquest of Babylon was a significant challenge, with the last king of the Chaldean Empire, Nabonidus, holding out in the city for some time. Eventually, Babylon was incorporated into the Persian Empire, but the process was not immediate and involved political maneuvering. Cyrus also focused on diplomatic efforts with the Phoenician cities and made them dependent through treaties, while he considered invading Egypt but ultimately left that task to his son Cambyses. Cyrus also aimed to conquer the Massagete nomads in the northeast but was unsuccessful.
00:55:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the death of Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, during his campaign against the Massagetes. According to legend, the Massagete queen Tomyris took revenge for the death of her son by ordering the head of the slain Cyrus to be put in a bag filled with the blood of his people. However, the historical accuracy of this story is uncertain. It is known that Cyrus was buried in Pasargadae, and his tomb existed for a long time. The speaker also mentions that the Persian Empire under Cyrus was vast, surpassing the territories of Assyrian, New Babylonian, and even the Midian kingdom. Cyrus is credited with creating the Persian state by conquering Media, Lydia, and Babylon, among other regions. After Cyrus' death, his son Cambyses came to power, but there is a debate among historians about whether he killed his brother Smerdis (Bardia) or simply ousted him. Cambyses is portrayed negatively in Greek and Egyptian sources, with accusations of being a drunkard, having bad morals, and even a murderer. Despite these negative portrayals, Cambyses is also known for his conquest of Egypt, which was a significant achievement for the Persian Empire.
In the YouTube video "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the Persian conquest of Egypt during the reign of King Cambyses II and the subsequent challenges Cambyses faced in expanding the Persian Empire into Africa and Ethiopia. Despite initial success in Egypt, Cambyses faced rebellions and was eventually overthrown by a Magi leader named Gaumata. Darius I then rose to power and strengthened the Persian administrative system, which was based on the satrapy system, where satraps held significant power. The Persian Empire obtained resources through tributes, land grants, and the labor of peasants. The religious landscape of ancient Persia was dominated by Zoroastrianism but included other cults, such as the cult of the sun god Mithra. The Persian army was a formidable force, with an elite cavalry unit known as the "Immortals." However, the Persian Empire faced significant challenges, including rebellions and the inability to impose a unified legal system across its diverse provinces. The most notable conflict between the Persians and Greeks occurred during the Greco-Persian Wars, culminating in the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, which marked a turning point in the conflict and the beginning of the end for Persian dominance in the region.
01:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the Persian conquest of Egypt during the reign of King Cambyses II. The Persians, with the help of Phoenician sailors and the treachery of the Egyptian fleet commander, manage to take control of the Egyptian fleet with minimal resistance. The main battle takes place at Pelusium, where Persian forces defeat the Egyptians and capture Memphis, the pharaoh, and other Egyptian leaders.
Despite his initial plan to use Egypt as a base for further expansion in Africa, Cambyses faces challenges in securing a fleet to reach Carthage. The Phoenicians, who are the founders of Carthage, refuse to fight against their brethren. Although Persian forces manage to gain nominal control over the region of modern-day Libya, they are unable to conquer Carthage.
As Cambyses moves up the Nile River to conquer Ethiopia (modern-day Sudan and Ethiopia), his forces are cut off from their supply lines. The Egyptians, still resentful of Persian rule, take advantage of the situation and rebel. Cambyses, realizing the difficulties in supplying and provisioning his army, turns back and suppresses the rebellion. He then assumes the title of pharaoh, but his behavior in Egypt is controversial according to both Egyptian and Greek sources. Some accounts suggest that Cambyses initially tried to rule Egypt in a just manner, respecting its gods and temples. However, after the rebellion, he reportedly desecrates temples and attempts to kill the sacred bull Apis.
01:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the mysterious death of King Cambyses II of Persia. According to the text, Cambyses received news of a rebellion led by a magus named Gaumata, who presented himself as a saved prince and claimed to be the younger brother of Cambyses. While in Egypt, Cambyses was said to have killed the sacred bull Apis, angering the Egyptian gods and leading to his downfall. Some sources suggest that Cambyses committed suicide, while others claim that he was killed as a result of the rebellion. The speaker also mentions that the Magi, a religious group from one of the Persian tribes, played a significant role in the events leading to Cambyses' death. Gaumata, as a Magi leader, was able to rally support and spark a rebellion that spread throughout the Persian Empire. The speaker notes that this rebellion was not limited to the Medes, but also affected other parts of the empire, making it a significant challenge for the next ruler to maintain control. The speaker also mentions Dorath I, a satrap (regional governor) from Bactria and Sogdiana, who allied himself with both Persian and Median forces during the rebellion. Gaumata ruled the Persian territories for around three years before being overthrown, and the empire was in a state of chaos during this time, with rebellions breaking out in various parts of the empire.
01:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the rise of Darius I to power after a conspiracy against his predecessor, Gaumata. Seven influential Persian nobles, including Gaumata, were involved in the plot, but Darius managed to outmaneuver them by making his horse neigh first at dawn, thereby becoming the new king. However, Darius's rule did not immediately extend over the entire Achaemenid Empire, which was already showing signs of instability. After suppressing various rebellions, Darius reached the pinnacle of Persian power around the end of the 6th century BCE and the beginning of the 5th century BCE. To maintain control, he strengthened the administrative system and balanced the influence of Persians and Medes in the elite, while also granting land to soldiers to create a system of estates.
01:15:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the Persian Achaemenid Empire's revenue sources and the administrative system. The empire obtained resources through tributes, land grants, and the labor of peasants. The Persian administrative system was based on the satrapy system, where satraps held both military and civilian power. This led to potential seperatism in various parts of the empire. The satrap was the de facto governor, holding significant civil power, while the king had little military power in his satrapy. Each satrapy had a military commander appointed by the king, leading military formations based in that satrapy. However, this rule was not always followed, leading to seperatism in Egypt, Lydia, and Greek cities among others. The imperial idea of absolute power, with its grand ceremonial and deification of the king, began to take shape during Darius's reign. Darius had several residences, including Persepolis, where large-scale construction and administrative buildings were erected. The administrative territorial division into satrapies was fully established during Darius's reign, marking a significant moment in the development of the Persian administrative system. Despite the presence of local elites as satraps, Persians began to take control of satrapies, strengthening vertical power and leading to the establishment of certain legal codes, although a unified legal system did not exist in the empire. Satrapies were required to pay a set amount of silver to the Persian court annually, amounting to approximately 250 tons.
01:20:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the financial system of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Each satrap, or governor, from each province paid a certain amount of silver to the Persian court. However, for those satrapies without silver mines, they had to trade, sell, or barter sufficient goods to obtain silver and pay their dues. The size of the tribute payments depended on the level of development and wealth of the satrapies. The wealthiest satrapies were found in Anatolia, Lydia, or Babylon, where the rivers carried silver. Darius began minting gold coins under his name, making it a monopoly for the Persian king. Silver and smaller denomination coins could be minted by satraps and their representatives. This system facilitated communication and commerce in the vast Persian Empire. Roads were built or restored, and a postal service was established with horse relays at regular intervals. This accelerated communication and was crucial for military signals, the dissemination of central authority, and feedback from satraps. Additionally, the Persian Empire flourished during Darius's reign with the growth of trade, usury, and crafts in major cities. The military, Persian nobility, and even foreigners supported the Persian Empire, with merchants and craftsmen from Babylon, Phoenicia, Greece, and other regions playing significant roles in the empire's economy. However, Darius had to deal with rebellious elements, such as the Egyptians, more cautiously, understanding their importance as distant but wealthy regions with significant contributions to trade, maritime navigation, and shipbuilding.
01:25:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов" (The Achaemenid Persian Empire), the speaker discusses the religious landscape of ancient Persia. While Zoroastrianism was the dominant religion in Persia, other cults existed in parallel, particularly the cult of the sun god Mithra. Mithraism continued to exist even in the Roman Empire, where it competed with Christianity for a time. In Greek cities of Anatolia and Egypt, where the power of the pharaohs was significant, it was necessary to maintain influential groups such as priests and the Jewish population. During the Persian period, the Jewish people were granted permission to rebuild the Temple on Mount Zion, which they had been attempting to construct with varying success. The Persian Empire at its peak under Darius I is shown on the map with its territorial boundaries, which did not significantly expand from the time of Cyrus and Xerxes. Major cities included Persepolis, Susa, and Babylon, which served as the political and cultural centers of the empire. Economically, the western regions were prosperous, while the East was poorer. Darius I's military conquests were not as grandiose as those of Cyrus or Xerxes, but he did manage to subdue the Scythians, Massagetes, and parts of India. The Persian Empire's expansion was halted at the territories of the oases in Khorezm, and the Persians were unable to penetrate deeper into India. The most significant developments occurred on the western frontier, where Darius I was able to capture several key cities and islands in the Aegean Sea, including Cyprus. The territory of Thrace also came under Persian control, marking the first time Persian influence reached Europe. However, Persian control over Europe was not as strong or consistent as it was in other regions.
01:30:00 In this section of the YouTube video "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the conflicts between the Persians and the Scythians, who inhabited the northern Black Sea region and the area around the Mioume (Maeotis) Lake and the Azov Sea. The Scythians were a diverse group of people, including both Iranian-speaking and non-Iranian communities. The Persians, led by King Darius, invaded the region around 513-500 BC with the support of Greek and Thracian allies. The Scythians, who controlled vast territories, lured the Persian army deeper into their lands, leading them further away from their supply bases. The Persians, who were already stretched thin, were unable to secure a decisive victory and were forced to retreat. The Scythians were accused of cowardice by the Persians, who were ultimately unable to conquer them despite their military superiority. The speaker also mentions the presence of other Iranian-speaking peoples, such as the Massagetes, who lived between the Caspian and Aral seas.
01:35:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses how the Greeks attempted to prevent the Persian army from crossing the Danube, but the Persians managed to reach the crossing and avoid being trapped. This event could have led to the destruction of a significant portion of the Persian army during the Chernoморie campaign. However, problems arose when Darius controlled Fracia and parts of Macedonia, which were formally part of the Persian empire. In addition, a rebellion broke out in Egypt, which sparked military action against the Greek cities in the region. These events marked the beginning of the Greco-Persian Wars during the last 15 years of Darius's reign.
The Persian Empire, led by the Achemenid dynasty, was an absolute monarchy with the king, or Shahanshah, holding the title of "King of Kings." The dynasty was not a strict lineage, as rulers often adopted non-related males to secure their succession. The central administrative organization, located in Persepolis, included a council of the king's family, which acted as a consultative body. Despite being an absolute monarchy, there was a legislative organ in place. The speaker notes that this council, composed of the highest-ranking Persian nobles, did not significantly limit the king's power but could have provided some checks and balances.
The Persian administrative structure was organized along a decimal system, with a thousand-man commander, later known as a vizier or fares in Persian and Arabic traditions, heading the administrative apparatus. In addition to satraps, who governed the provinces, there was a parallel system of governance called the "eyes and ears of the king," or sagbat, who reported directly to the king on local matters. These officials informed the king of any potential unrest or rebellion, allowing for a swift response.
01:40:00 In this section of the YouTube video "Персидская империя Ахеменидов" (The Achaemenid Persian Empire), the speaker discusses the role of satraps in the Persian province system during the reign of Darius. Although military and administrative power were separated, satraps held significant authority, including the ability to mint silver coins and command military contingents. This led to separatism, eventually contributing to the downfall of the Persian Empire. The speaker also notes that satraps were essentially absolute rulers, with no checks on their power except for the king. This contrasted with Greek city-states, which had a more democratic system of government. The Persian Empire's weakness lay in its inability to impose a unified legal system across its diverse provinces, which included Egypt, Nubia, and parts of modern-day Greece and Macedonia. The military, a crucial foundation of the Persian Empire, was divided into cavalry and infantry, with infantry further divided into pikemen, archers, and javelin throwers. The Persian army's strength came from its well-organized structure, with each unit consisting of tens, hundreds, and thousands, and each led by a commander. The cavalry, the elite force, numbered up to 10,000 "immortals" at times. The Persian army's armor varied, with some infantry wearing leather armor or even no armor at all. Despite these strengths, the Persian army faced challenges, such as the fearsome appearance of their armor and the fact that archers were deployed after the infantry had finished their preparations, leaving them vulnerable in battle.
01:45:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов" (Achaemenid Persian Empire), the speaker discusses the powerful military forces of the Persian army, specifically the elite cavalry unit known as the "Immortals." This unit, consisting of 1,000 soldiers, was formed exclusively from Persians of the Median and Alavite ethnicities. The Persian army was well-prepared and heavily armed, with soldiers wearing armor and using spears as their primary weapon. The Persians also employed war chariots and elephants in battle.
The Persian army was a formidable force, and it was only during the Greco-Persian Wars, particularly during the reign of Darius I after his unsuccessful Scythian campaign, that the Persian empire faced a significant crisis. At this time, there were uprisings in Ionia, the cities-states of the Aegean and the Mediterranean, which were supported by the Greeks. In response, Darius sent his troops to Greece via the Aegean Sea, leading to the famous Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
The Battle of Marathon was significant for both Greek civilization and Athens, as it marked a turning point in the conflict between the Persians and the Greeks. Although not the most grandiose battle in ancient history, it was one of the most influential. The Persian army, despite its size and preparation, was ultimately defeated by the Greeks, marking the beginning of the end for Persian dominance in the region.
01:50:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the discussion revolves around the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC between the Persian army led by a skilled commander and the Greek city-state of Athens. The Persian commander, underestimating the Greeks' numbers and their impending reinforcements, attempted to invade Athens by sea. However, the Greek commander, Miltiad, seized the opportunity to attack the Persians, leading to a significant Greek victory. The Persian error was their failure to account for the strong Greek flanks, which turned the tide of the battle. Despite their numerical superiority, the Persians were unable to recover and were forced to retreat back to Asia. The Battle of Marathon marked the first major encounter between the Hellenic world and the Persian Empire, and it set the stage for future conflicts. The next episode will cover the reigns of Xerxes I and his less talented son, Darius I, during which the Persian Empire faced numerous rebellions and uprisings in various provinces.
01:55:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the Persian invasions of Greece following the Marathon Battle. Ten years after Marathon, the Persians invaded Greece by land, taking control of parts of Macedonia and reaching the city of Thebes. One of the most famous episodes of this conflict was the Battle of Thermopylae, where King Leonidas of Sparta led a small force of around 7,000 Greeks against the massive Persian army of nearly 300,000 under Xerxes. Although Leonidas and his Spartans famously held off the Persians for several days, the Greeks were eventually outnumbered and outflanked, leading to their defeat. The battle, however, bought valuable time for the Greeks to evacuate Athens and other cities, marking one of the earliest large-scale evacuations of civilian populations in war history. Despite their loss, the battles of Thermopylae and Salamis were crucial for Greek strategy, as they significantly weakened the Persian forces and prevented a complete conquest of Greece.
The YouTube video "Персидская империя Ахеменидов" discusses the decline and fall of the Persian Achemenid Empire. Xerxes' failed attempt to conquer Greece led to the Greco-Persian Wars, but the Peace of Callias ended the conflict and granted freedom to Greek city-states in Asia Minor and the eastern Aegean Sea. However, internal issues and the Peloponnesian War weakened Persia, and the empire faced a new threat in the form of the Macedonian kingdom. Alexander the Great's military campaigns led to the rapid collapse of the Persian Empire, with key regions, such as Babylon, coming under Macedonian rule. The Persian Empire, which had existed for a significant period, experienced a deep crisis due to power struggles within the dynasty and external threats. The end of the Persian Achemenid Empire marked the beginning of new states and civilizations, including Parthia, Sassanid, Muslim Iran, and the Abbasid Caliphate, and the Persian historical line continued to evolve for centuries.
02:00:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses Xerxes' failed attempt to conquer the Balcan Peninsula in Greece, which resulted in the continuation of the Greco-Persian Wars. Despite the Greeks' victory, the relationship between Persia and Greek city-states remained complex. The Peace of Callias, also known as the Kalian Diaspora, was signed in 449 BC, marking the end of the Greco-Persian Wars. This peace treaty resulted in the freedom of various Greek city-states in Asia Minor and the eastern Aegean Sea. However, internal issues within the Persian Empire began to emerge, leading to a period of instability. The Peloponnesian War between Sparta and Athens marked the beginning of a new era of conflict, with Persia attempting to exploit the tensions between the Greek city-states. Despite Persian diplomacy and spying efforts, the Greeks managed to resist Persian influence. However, the Persian Empire faced a deep crisis in the late 5th century BC, with various clans of the Achemenid dynasty vying for power. Eventually, the empire began to disintegrate, with Egypt and Syria separating from Persian rule. Ardasheres III managed to restore stability, but the Persian Empire was never the same again, and it eventually collapsed.
02:05:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the decline and fall of the Persian Achemenid Empire. The empire faced a formidable enemy in the western world, the Macedonian kingdom, which was strengthened under Philip and his son Alexander. The Greeks, weakened by internal conflicts, were unable to resist the combined military and political power of Macedonia and the Balkan Greeks. Alexander's forces advanced into the western part of Asia Minor, bringing significant cultural, economic, and political influence. The Persian Empire, with its main centers in Babylon and Persia, was on the brink of collapse during the reign of Darius III. The decisive battle was the Battle of Gaugamela, where the smaller and better-organized Macedonian army, led by Alexander, used tactical superiority and flanking maneuvers to defeat the Persians. The Persian Empire began to disintegrate, and Alexander became the ruler of Babylon and other key regions. Darius III fled to Bactria, where he was eventually killed by local satraps. The fall of the Persian Empire occurred rapidly, within less than 10 years of Alexander's campaigns, and was due in part to the immense resources spent on holding the peripheral territories, such as Egypt and others.
02:10:00 In this section of the YouTube video titled "Персидская империя Ахеменидов," the speaker discusses the eventual decline and fall of the Persian Achemenid Empire. The empire, which had existed for a significant period, experienced a stabilized phase before entering a deep crisis that led to rebellions. Despite the lack of a unified legal system and geological base, the Zoroastrian religion remained the dominant faith within the Persian world, and there was no significant ideological expansion beyond its borders. Economic ties were important but were weakened as provinces sought independence and security. The empire's weakness led to power struggles within the dynasty and among rival clans vying for the throne. External threats, such as the rising power of the Macedonian kingdom, further weakened the Persian Empire, leading to military defeats and eventual collapse. However, the end of the Persian Achemenid Empire did not mark the end of Iranian civilization. Instead, it paved the way for new states and civilizations, including Parthia, Sassanid, Muslim Iran, and the Abbasid Caliphate. The Persian Empire's historical line would continue to evolve for centuries to come.