History of the Persian Empire

Study Notes

In 424 BCE, the Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, reached its peak, stretching into three continents with a population of over 100 million.
Persian King Artaxerxes I died, leaving his son Xerxes II as the new king, but his ascension was contested by two of his illegitimate brothers, Darius and Xerxes.
Darius II ruled for just over six months before being assassinated by his brother Ochos in 424 BCE. He was known as Darius the Bastard by the Greeks.
During his reign, Egypt revolted against Persian rule in 411, leading to a seven-year guerrilla campaign.
The Persians reclaimed tracts of Ionia during Darius's rule, forming an alliance with Sparta against Athens.
After Darius's death, his son Xerxes II was succeeded by his half-brother Xerxes III, who was soon killed in a battle with his half-brother Cyrus the Younger.
Cyrus the Younger claimed the throne based on being born after their father and mother took the throne.
Cyrus's army won the battle against Xerxes III but Cyrus himself was accidentally killed by a Persian soldier named Mithradates.
Mithradates was treated as a hero by Artaxerxes II and given riches on the condition that he maintained that Artaxerxes II had killed Cyrus.
Mithradates later boasted of his role in the killing at a party, leading to his execution in a gruesome way by Artaxerxes II.
Artaxerxes II avoided direct wars with the Greeks, instead choosing to subsidize their enemies and support Sparta.
Artaxerxes II dealt with internal threats, including a rebellion in the Caduceus region, by using political maneuvers rather than spilling Persian blood.
Artaxerxes II attempted to regain control of Egypt but failed, leading to the Great Satraps Revolt in Asia Minor.
Artaxerxes III succeeded his father as the last significant ruler of the Persian Empire, but a storm was brewing in the form of Macedon, which would threaten the foundation of the Persian Empire.

Description

Test your knowledge of the rise and fall of the Persian Empire, including the reigns of Artaxerxes I, Darius II, Xerxes II, Cyrus the Younger, and Artaxerxes II. Explore the internal and external conflicts, alliances with Sparta and wars with Greece, as well as the Great Satraps Revolt and the looming threat from Macedon.