The Good Book

1. The rise of Persia under Cyrus and the fall of Lydia

"For assuredly, the rich man is no nearer happiness than the poor man who has all he needs."

Cyrus' rise to power began with his overthrow of his grandfather, Astyages of Media. Through strategic alliances and military conquests, Cyrus expanded the Persian Empire, eventually setting his sights on Lydia. King Croesus of Lydia, known for his immense wealth, sought to preemptively attack Persia. However, his meeting with the wise Athenian statesman Solon foreshadowed his downfall.

The battle of Thymbra showcased Cyrus' military ingenuity. He used camels to disrupt the Lydian cavalry, leading to a decisive victory. Sardis, the Lydian capital, fell to the Persians, and Croesus was captured. This conquest marked the beginning of Persian dominion over the Greek cities of Ionia.

• Key figures: Cyrus the Great, Croesus, Solon
• Territories conquered: Media, Lydia, Ionian Greek cities
• Lessons learned: The transient nature of wealth and power

2. Cambyses' conquest of Egypt and descent into madness

"For not often has there been anyone of complete sincerity who failed to move others."

Cambyses' Egyptian campaign expanded the Persian Empire further. He defeated Pharaoh Psamtik III at the Battle of Pelusium, using psychological warfare by placing cats and other sacred animals in front of his army. This victory led to the fall of Memphis and the conquest of Egypt.

However, Cambyses' subsequent actions revealed a growing instability. He embarked on ill-fated expeditions against Ethiopia and the Ammonians, which ended in disaster. His behavior became increasingly erratic and cruel, culminating in the murder of his sister-wife and the Apis bull, a sacred animal in Egyptian religion.

• Key events: Conquest of Egypt, failed Ethiopian expedition
• Signs of madness: Murder of family members, desecration of religious symbols
• Consequences: Weakening of Persian control, growing discontent

3. The false Smerdis and Darius' ascension to the Persian throne

"Thus was Babylon taken for the second time."

The death of Cambyses created a power vacuum in the Persian Empire. Two Magi brothers, one of whom resembled the late prince Smerdis, seized this opportunity to usurp the throne. The impostor, known as the false Smerdis, ruled for seven months before being discovered.

Darius and the conspirators orchestrated a coup to overthrow the false Smerdis. After a heated debate about the future government of Persia, Darius emerged as the new king through a combination of cunning and fortune. His ascension marked the beginning of a new era for the Persian Empire.

• Key figures: Darius, Otanes, Gobryas
• Forms of government debated: Democracy, oligarchy, monarchy
• Method of selecting the new king: The horse-neighing contest

4. Darius' expansion and reorganization of the Persian Empire

"Darius arranged his empire into twenty satrapies, reaching from Egypt to Armenia, from the subjected eastern Greeks to India, this last the wealthiest of all the satrapies; and great treasures flowed into his keeping from them."

Administrative reforms were a hallmark of Darius' reign. He divided the empire into satrapies, each governed by a satrap responsible for tax collection and maintaining order. This system improved efficiency and strengthened central control.

Imperial expansion continued under Darius. He secured the empire's eastern frontiers, pushing into parts of India. In the west, he conquered Thrace and Macedonia, extending Persian influence into Europe. These conquests were accompanied by major infrastructure projects, including the construction of the Royal Road and the canal linking the Nile to the Red Sea.

• Key reforms: Satrapy system, standardized coinage, improved communication networks
• Major conquests: Parts of India, Thrace, Macedonia
• Infrastructure projects: Royal Road, Nile-Red Sea canal

5. The Scythian campaign: A lesson in futility and hubris

"Do not demand that things should happen as you wish, but wish that they happen as they do happen, and you will go on well."

Darius' Scythian expedition was an ambitious attempt to subdue the nomadic Scythians north of the Black Sea. Despite assembling a massive army and constructing a bridge across the Bosphorus, the campaign proved to be a strategic failure.

The Scythian tactics of scorched earth and constant retreat frustrated the Persian army. Unable to engage in a decisive battle, Darius was forced to retreat, narrowly escaping disaster. This campaign exposed the limitations of the Persian military when faced with unconventional warfare and harsh terrain.

• Key challenges: Vast, unfamiliar terrain; Scythian guerrilla tactics
• Strategic mistakes: Overextension of supply lines, underestimation of enemy
• Lessons learned: The importance of adaptability in warfare, the limits of imperial power

6. The Ionian Revolt: Seeds of conflict between Persia and Greece

"The Ionians now held a council. Miltiades the Athenian, who was king of the Chersonesites of the Hellespont, and their commander at the Ister, recommended the other generals to do as the Scythians wished, and restore freedom to Ionia."

The outbreak of the Ionian Revolt marked a turning point in Persian-Greek relations. Sparked by the ambitions of Aristagoras, tyrant of Miletus, and supported by Athens and Eretria, the revolt quickly spread throughout Ionia and Cyprus.

Initial successes, such as the burning of Sardis, were followed by Persian counterattacks. The revolt ultimately failed, culminating in the fall of Miletus in 494 BCE. However, it had far-reaching consequences, drawing mainland Greek cities into conflict with Persia and setting the stage for future wars.

• Key figures: Aristagoras, Histiaeus, Artaphernes
• Major events: Burning of Sardis, Battle of Lade, Fall of Miletus
• Consequences: Increased Persian interest in Greek affairs, Athens marked as an enemy of Persia

7. Darius' vow of revenge against Athens: The stage is set for war

"Master, remember the Athenians."

Darius' reaction to Athens' involvement in the Ionian Revolt was one of fury and determination for revenge. He famously instructed a servant to remind him daily of the Athenians, ensuring he would not forget this perceived slight to Persian honor and power.

This vow of vengeance set in motion a series of events that would lead to the Persian Wars. Darius began preparations for a massive invasion of Greece, aiming to punish Athens and extend Persian dominion over the Greek mainland. These preparations would culminate in the First Persian invasion of Greece under Mardonius in 492 BCE.

• Key motivations: Revenge against Athens, desire for westward expansion
• Preparatory steps: Fleet and army assembly, diplomatic missions to Greek city-states
• Long-term impact: Beginning of the Persian Wars, clash of Eastern and Western civilizations

Last updated: April 22, 2025