Persian Wars (490 BCE to 479 BCE) between the Greek city-states and the Persian Empire were predicated by various circumstances, ranging from cultural ideologies to political connivances. For the Greeks, particularly the Ionians and the Athenians, Persian rule was unwanted and unacceptable. The Persian leaders Darius and his son Xerxes, however, following in the example of Cyrus the Great, saw the Greek city-states as puny colonies that were to be taught submission. And while the Greeks often fought among themselves, the threat of a Persian invasion spelled the virtual annihilation of each of them if they did not choose to set aside their squabbles for the common good of all (Siegel, 2005).
Were the Greeks Victorious Because They Were More Motivated than the Persians?
Motivation for Victory
Although the Greek city-states formed an alliance to repel the Persian armies, the Persian Wars did not put an end to the enmity that existed among…...
mlaReference List
Aeschylus. The Persians R. Potter [Trans.] Retrieved from http://people.ucalgary.ca/~vandersp/Courses/texts/aescpers.html
Batchelor, J. (2009). The Graeco-Persian Wars Compared (490 and 480/79 BCE).
CLIO History Journal. Retrieved from http://cliojournal.wikispaces.com/The+Graeco-Persian+Wars+Compared
Brown, F. (2009). The Persian Wars. CLIO History Journal. Retrieved from http://cliojournal.wikispaces.com/The+Persian+Wars
The Greeks initiated the process of retaking their cities previously conquered by Persians and set tributes. Under the lead of Alexander the Great, Greece enlarged its spatial boundaries "from southern Egypt to the gates of China." (Robert Morkot, Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece)
Ending the war
Twenty years after the commence of Persian attacks, Greek military general Themistocles managed to obviate the Persian threat over Greece. "The Greek victory was aided by the strategy of Themistocles. Xerxes returned to Persia. [...] the defeat of this army in 479 at Plataea near Thebes by a Greek army under the Spartan Pausanias and a Greek naval victory at Mycale on the coast of Asia Minor ended all danger from Persian invasions of Europe." (the History Channel, Persian Wars)
Consequences of the wars
After vanquishing the Persian power, the Greeks earned a reputation for possessing the most powerful fleet. Still not trusting the complete defeat…...
mlaBibliography
Victor Hanson, John Keegan, Wars of the Ancient Greeks: Smithsonian History of Warfare, September 2004
Robert Morkot, Penguin Historical Atlas of Ancient Greece, Penguin Non-Classics, January 1997
Sarah B. Pomeroy, Stanley M. Burstein, Walter Donald, Jennifer Tolbert Roberts, Ancient Greece: A Political, Social and Cultural History, October 1998
Official Website of the History Channel, Persian Wars, 2004
Thus, the Spartans were now free, along with the disgruntled Persians, who had a significant ax to grind with Athens, to seize the opportunity and attack Athens (thereby ending the 50 years truce). After a few years of resistance, Athens fell completely, and was immediately subjected to the oligarchical government under Sparta, known as "the Thirty."
Although it certainly seems ironic that the very democratic system that the Athenians were so proud of would precipitate its eventual downfall, one might argue that it was not the democratic system, itself, that was to blame, but the tremendous hubris of the Athenians -- both as a result of their tremendous victory over the Persians, as well as their own belief in their natural idealistic superiority.
Under the control of the Thirty, Ancient Greek as a bastion of "freedom" and democracy would fall, and the greatness of the Greek empire would steadily fade from existence.…...
mlaWorks Cited
Wikipedia. Staff. "Peloponnesian War. Web site. Retrieved on July 5, 2005 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peloponnesian_War
D. Sherman, Western Civilization, 6th ed.
Spielvogel, Jackson J. "Western Civilization" 6th Ed. Wadsworth, New York. 2001.
There was still plenty of bickering (Herodotus 506), but in general, the Greeks had now finally learned the first of the two "lessons" that some read in the Ionian Revolt and its defeat: In any effort against superior numbers, unity is essential to success.
The second lesson, about the importance of naval power, was shortly to be demonstrated. Having not been wasted at Artemisium, the Greek fleet overcame the Persians at Salamis, cutting Xerxes' line of supply and communication and forcing the emperor himself to withdraw. The next year, the remaining Persian invaders were routed at Plataea; after this, faced by a variety of Greek alliances, the Persians would remain on the defensive and, by the peace of 449 BCE, eventually relinquished all control over the Ionian and other cities of Asia Minor in perpetuity. The "revolt" finally succeeded.
orks Cited
De Souza, Philip. The Greek and Persian ars 499-386 BC. Botley,…...
mlaWorks Cited
De Souza, Philip. The Greek and Persian Wars 499-386 BC. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing, 2003.
Gray, G.B., & Cary, M. "The Reign of Darius." In the Cambridge Ancient History. Vol. IV: The Persian Empire and the West. Corrected edition. London: Cambridge University Press, 1930.
Herodotus. The Histories. Trans. Robin Waterfield. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1998. Print.
Munro, J.A.R. "Xerxes' Invasion of Greece." In the Cambridge Ancient History. Vol. IV: The Persian Empire and the West. Corrected edition. London: Cambridge University Press, 1930.
Persians had such an extensive influence on the development of world history that most Westerners encounter stories of the Persian Empire as Greek historians told them, or alternatively, from Biblical sources. Persian rule enabled the dissemination of ideas related to Zoroastrian worldviews and political philosophy. The Persian Empire is during its peak is known as the Achaemenid Empire, because of the name of the family dynasty beginning with King Cyrus.
Cyrus would now be called a visionary and a transformational leader, because of his clear intent of expanding Persia's locus of influence throughout the Fertile Crescent and Middle East. Moreover, Cyrus understood the importance of actually empowering the peoples he conquered. ather than rule with an iron fist or exert undue control over disparate regions of the empire, Cyrus implemented a policy that involved liberal politics and a social policy of tolerance. When Cyrus invaded Babylon, he liberated the Jews from…...
mlaReferences
Brondou, C. (2011). Darius I, King of Persia. Retrieved online: http://www.findingdulcinea.com/features/profiles/d/darius-i.html
"Cyrus, King of Persia." The British Museum. Retrieved online: http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/article_index/c/cyrus,_king_of_persia.aspx
Foster, N.E. (2005). The Persian policies of Alexander the Great: From 330-323 BCE. Retrieved online: http://etd.lsu.edu/docs/available/etd-04112005-150526/unrestricted/Foster_thesis.pdf
Gill, N.S. (n.d.). Cyrus the Great. About.com. Retrieved online: http://ancienthistory.about.com/od/persianempire/g/082610-Cyrus-The-Great.htm
Family and respect for social order are among the most essential values in the Islamic religion, but these have been taken to various extremes by certain Muslim factions, and unfortunately these often receive much higher attention and notice than the true values of Islam (Akgunduz 2009). More essential in Islam than the subservience to authority are the pursuit of life and knowledge, and this latter especially has had a large influence on my own life (Akgunduz 2009). My family and especially my parents have heavily stressed the importance of academic achievement in order to succeed in life and to full personal potential, both of which are very important values ot me personally and in my culture.
It is also important to not that Persians are not Arabs, and the specific pattern of the development of Persian cultural values does not follow the same trajectory as many Arab Muslim cultures (PANA…...
mlaReferences
Akgunduz, a. (2009). "Norms and values in Islam." Accessed 14 October 2009. http://www.uga.edu/islam/norms_values.html
Ebady, a. (2009). "Islamic values v. Muslim values." Accessed 14 October 2009. http://www.crescentlife.com/heal%20the%20world/islamic_vs__muslim_values.htm
Kwintessential. (2009). "Iran: Language, culture, customs, and etiquette." Accessed 14 October 2009. http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/resources/global-etiquette/iran-country-profile.html
PANA. (2009). "Persians are not Arabs." Accessed 14 October 2009. http://www.persiansarenotarabs.com/persian-culture/
Battle of Marathon Smehra
Diary from the Battle of Marathon
Day 1, 490 BC
The Persians are persistent, but Greece shall overcome! We have heard the rumors that Darius' first attack was thwarted by the powers of Poseidon, but we have heard nothing further from our spies. Many of us have stopped walking around with our arms, it was after all upsetting to the women and children that we were ready for battle and death, by Zeus! Rather, we are watchful and more alert than ever.
We can not trust Darius and the Persians, for they have already taken over the Ionian Greeks, and he has sworn to take over our Athens too. We helped our Greek brothers against the Persian invaders, and how that warped his wrath! Now he is determined we shall fall into his grip - and then where will he shed blood?
A look around at the marketplace and the beauty…...
Persian Gulf War
Effects of war in the Persian Gulf on the U.S. Economy
Okruhlik notes that "state strategies chosen to manage crises- like price booms and busts, worldwide recession, and war- have very real, though unintended, social and political consequences" (p. 297). This essay analyzes the relationship between Persian Gulf War and its impact on U.S. economy. The writer tries to explore impacts of conflict in Middle East and how it results as an increase in oil prices as well fluctuation in stock markets.
The previous research show that, oil price shocks have an asymmetric effect on economic activity and the stock market such that increases in oil prices have a larger impact than oil price decreases.
As the Gulf Coast was hit and many of the oil production and distribution facilities were damaged, world oil prices experienced a dramatic increase in the aftermath of the hurricanes. A few months after the hurricanes,…...
mlaReferences
Baxter, Marianne. "Real exchange rates and real interest differentials: Have we missed the business-cycle relationship." Journal of Monetary Economics vol. 33, 1994 pp: 5-37.
Finn, M.G..(2000), "Perfect Competition and the Effects of Energy Price Increase on Economic Activity," Journal of Money, Credit and Banking 32:400-416
Golub, Stephen S. "Oil Prices and Exchange Rates." Economic Journal, Royal Economic Society, vol. 93 (371), 1983, pp 576-93.
Hamilton, J.D. (1988), "A Neoclassical Model of Unemployment and the Business Cycle," Journal of Political Economy 96: 593-617
Persian Letters by Montesquieu. Specifically, it will answer the following question. Montesquieu sets up his Persian observers as "innocents abroad" to point out the absurdities of French politics and society. How does Usbek's seraglio serve as a metaphor for and criticism of the French court? Usbek's seraglio or type of "harem" clearly represents the French court, as it is usually in disarray, confusion, and controversy, and is a group of people surrounding a central figure, just as the court is.
The seraglio is an amusing comment on the French court of the time, and reflects the writer's distress at events in the court. He writes, "Appalling disorder and confusion prevail in the seraglio: war reigns among your wives; your eunuchs are divided; nothing is heard bur murmurs, complaints, reproaches; my remonstrances are despised: everything seems to be permitted in this time of license, and I am nothing but a name…...
mlaReferences
Montesquieu. "The Persian Letters." College of William and Mary. 2002. 22 March 2004. http://fsweb.wm.edu/plp/
Also, from Herodotus's books we see that some of them, obeying the famous oracle of Delphi, or using its predictions as an excuse, decided to surrender, and give "earth and water." This is particularly relevant on the influence of religion in that period. It was not uncommonly for wars to be delayed or even abandoned because of the predictions of oracles and the one in Delphi, which had a primary role in the Greeks' religious life, had a long history of interference in the Greek politics.
There must also be mentioned that the feelings of sympathy towards the Persians were also determined for most of the Greek cities by the approach of the Persian Army. An example is the people of Thessaly, which submitted only after the Greeks evacuated the valley of Tempe.
Overall, it was the combination of these factors that led to the fact that in the year 480 .C.…...
mlaBibliography
Burn, a.R. Persia and the Greeks: The Defense of the West, c. 546-478 BC. London: Edward Arnold, 1962.
Evans, J.A.S. Herodotus and the Battle of Marathon Historia 42.3, Boston G.K. Hall, 1982
Hammond, N.G.L. The Campaign and the Battle of Marathon. Journal of Hellenic Studies, 1968.
Herodotus: "Books VI, VIII, IX" the Histories, Reprint edition, Penguin Books, September, 1996.
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Those who belonged to the faith believed that they would be resurrected after death and judged on their lifelong deeds.
Zoroastrianism existed in Iran by the time Medes and Persians were established. They both treated it and received it as a long-established faith, with its doctrines and observances already defined and a canon of works in the Avestan tongue. There is no evidence that the literature was written down at this time and it was orally transferred from one generation to the next. The claim by the later Iranians that Alexander the Great destroyed the massive texts has not been substantiated."
When the Arabian invasion of the Persian empire was complete there were traditions developed designed toward the psychological attitudes that Muslim was the better or more correct faith. The taxes were paid with ritual and decorum. For instance the person doing the paying had to stand while the other person sat…...
mlaReferences
Conflict and cooperation Zoroastrian Subalterns and Muslim Elites in Medieval Iranian Society
Professor Jamsheed K. Choksy
http://www.vohuman.org/Article/Conflict%20and%20Cooperation.htm
Zoroaster and Zoroastrians in Iran
Persian Wars were wars fought between the Persian Empire and Greek city states in the 5th century BCE. The Persian Empire under Darius was expanding westward into Europe, and had targeted the powerful Greek states, particularly Athens, in order to capture what was the major power in the region at the time. The Greeks were able to hold their territory, and as a result they were able to preserve their civilization.
The Persian Empire was probably the largest and most powerful at the time. The empire has spread across Asia Minor, Thrace and Macedonia, and was targeting peninsular Greece. The Persians led a cosmopolitan force, emblematic of their empire, which had religious freedom, tolerance, and incorporated many cultures. The Greeks, however, were a strong culture in their own right, and resisted the idea of subjugation by the Persians. Darius had requested that the Greeks submit to his rule, but Athens and…...
Persian Between 1000 and 1700
Persian as a region was known to be of significant influence to the rest of the world in many aspects ranging from science, to geography, religion and other disciplines. The region gained significant expansion in terms of the influence within the region and interaction with the rest of the world especially in the 1000 and 1700 period due to the various reasons discussed here.
The expansion of the Persian was perpetuated by the turning of the Persianate world to be more than just a region but a concept or a system that transverse the Persian gulf alone, it presented a shared system, knowledge, statecraft, religiosity, trade, diplomacy and even sociability which were conveyed through the use of a common Persian language. This made it easy to expand the Persian empire beyond the physical borders that existed (Sharma S., 2014:Pp1-2).
The Persian empire, currently referred to as Iran…...
mlaReferences
Independence Hall Association, (2014). Ancient Civilizations: Persian Empire. Retrieved October 30, 2015 from http://www.ushistory.org/civ/4e.asp
Spooner B & Hanaway L., (2006). Literacy in the Persianate World. Retrieved October 30, 2015 from https://books.google.co.ke/books?id=CjibFs9JlgoC&pg=PA73&lpg=PA73&dq=expansion+of+Persianate&source=bl&ots=z8RrfODArs&sig=rz_iV9NqmUyIoMt0bAT1q1mTqmA&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0CDIQ6AEwBGoVChMItYzju7nqyAIVy1YUCh0f9QWx#v=onepage&q=expansion%20of%20Persianate&f=false
World History Center, (2015). Persia. Retrieved October 30, 2015 from http://history-world.org/persians.htm
Sharma S., (2014). Comparative Studies of South Asia, Africa and Middle East. Vol 22 No1&2. Pp1-2. Duke University Press.
The presentation is as important and must be pleasing to the eye as the pallet.
With Persian recipes, common ingredients will be readily available in grocery stores -- rice, yogurt, and fresh herbs. Some of the unusual spices that give Persian food its special flair, including angelica, pomegranate paste, sumac and whey are sometimes harder to find.
In preparing Cold Yogurt Soup wash two large cucumbers and peel. Then finely chop them along with one small onion. Stir cucumbers and onion into two cups of plain yogurt. Add one tablespoon fresh chopped mint, tarragon, and scallions. One quarter cup raisins and toasted chopped walnuts, two teaspoons salt and one quarter teaspoon pepper. Mix well then stir in two cups cold water. Just before serving add ice cubes (About Persian Food).
ibliography
"About Persian Food." n.d. estIranTravel.com. 7 Apr 2009 .
Singer, Zoe. "Pomegranates, Dried Limes, Rose Water." n.d. Chow. 7 Apr 2009 ....
mlaBibliography
"About Persian Food." n.d. BestIranTravel.com. 7 Apr 2009 .
Singer, Zoe. "Pomegranates, Dried Limes, Rose Water." n.d. Chow. 7 Apr 2009 .
Persian Contraction From 1700 to 2000
Persia represented an important link between East and West. It held the Middle position and in geopolitical terms, this position meant a lot as the Industrial Age began to get underway in the modern era. Persian territory was viewed with envious eyes by other nations that saw the strategic location Persia occupied. The decadence of the Ottoman Empire, a series of wars, power plays, globalization, cultural changes and influences, and diaspora have all impacted Persia and accounted for its contraction between 1700 and 2000. This paper will analyze these factors and show how in these three hundred years, changes in the way of the world, such as the influence of technology and industry, had a direct effect on the shape of Persia and its geographical location.
Persia in the 18th Century
The Suffavean dynasty was founded in the 16th century and it lasted for roughly two centuries,…...
mlaBibliography
Bashir, Hassan. "Qanun and the Modernisation of Political Thought in Iran," Global
Media Journal, vol. 8, no. 14 (Spring 2009).
Ekhtiar, Maryam. "Nasir al-din Shah and the Dar al-Funum: The Evolution of Institution," International Society for Iranian Studies: Qajar Art and Society, vol. 34, no. 1/4 (2001).
Fisher, Michael. "Teaching Persian as an Imperial Language in India and in England
Chapter 1: Ancient Civilizations
The Rise and Fall of the Sumerian City-States
The Indus Valley Civilization: Unraveling the Enigma
The Ancient Egyptian Civilization: Pyramids, Pharaonic Power, and Daily Life
The Minoan and Mycenaean Civilizations: Maritime Masters of the Aegean
The Zhou Dynasty and the Birth of Chinese Civilization
Chapter 2: Classical Civilizations
The Athenian Golden Age: Democracy, Philosophy, and the Arts
The Roman Empire: Conquests, Governance, and the Pax Romana
The Mauryan Empire: From Chandragupta to Ashoka's Legacy
The Hellenistic World: A Syncretic Blend of Greek and Persian Cultures
The Han Dynasty: China's Ascendancy and Technological Innovations
Chapter 3: Medieval Civilizations
The....
1. The Enduring Legacy of Gandhar: Exploring Its Contribution to Indian Art, Culture, and Society
Trace the origins and evolution of Gandhar art, highlighting its unique characteristics and influences.
Examine the role of Gandhar art in the development of Buddhism, Jainism, and Hinduism.
Discuss the impact of Gandhar art on regional and international artistic traditions.
2. Gandhar: A Crossroads of Civilizations - Art and Architecture as a Reflection of Cultural Exchange
Analyze the artistic influences of Greek, Persian, and Indian cultures on Gandhar art.
Explore the architectural innovations of Gandhar monasteries and stupas, drawing connections to other religious traditions.
Discuss the....
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