OCR ANCIENT HISTORY OPTION 1: GREECE AND PERSIA UNIT 1: THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
Key Topic Key topics Red Amber Green
559 The ofEmpirerise Persian Great the under Cyrus the The background and accession of Cyrus
–
530 BC
the conquest of Lydia; the conquest of Babylon
Cyrus’ attitude towards conquered peoples and his liberation of the Jews
the construction of Pasargadae
the circumstances of Cyrus’ death
530 II, Cambyses Smerdis and the ofaccession Darius Cambyses’ conquest of Egypt
–
522
BC
Cambyses’ attitude towards the Egyptians and their culture
the circumstances of Cambyses’ death
Darius’ overthrow of Smerdis / Bardiya / Gaumata
522 The the reign Darius of Great Darius’ pacification of the empire
–
486 BC
including the restoration of control over Babylon
construction of Susa, Persepolis and the Egyptian canal
Persian expansion into the Aegean Sea
the campaign in India
the war with the Scythians
Persian culture and religion under Darius
Darius’ organisation and administration of the Persian Empire
the Ionian Revolt, including its causes, course and consequences
Persian relations with Athens prior to the revolt
Mardonius’ expedition of 493–492 BC
the expedition to Greece in 490 BC and its aftermath
486 andI Xerxes the Greeks Death of Darius and accession of Xerxes
–
465 BC
the suppression of revolts in Babylonia and Egypt
the invasion of Greece, including Persian preparation, the journey to Greece, the battle of Thermopylae, the sack of Athens, the battle of Salamis;
Persian military organisation and fighting techniques
the completion of Darius’ building projects
the Battle of Eurymedon and Plutarch’s ‘famous peace’
The Rise of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great 559-530BC
Key places
Near East ______
Asia Minor ______
The Levant ______
Egypt ______
Mesopotamia
______
Sardis ______
Lydia ______
Delphi ______Pasargade ______
Key people
Lydians ______
Assyrians ______
Babylonians ______
Medes ______
The Jews ______
The Phoenicians ______
Astyages ______
Cyrus ______
The Sources
Herodotus ______
The Cyrus Cylinder ______
Nabonidus Chronicle ______
Key words Oracle ______
Tribute ______
Cuneiform ______
Paradaiza ______
Practice questions
1. Do you think Cyrus was wise to support local traditions and present himself as a liberator? 2. What might have been the consequences of Cyrus’ liberation of Babylon for the peoples of Mesopotamia and beyond? 3. Describe the layout of the palace complex at Pasargadae. 4. How did Cyrus use art and architecture to promote a message of social and political change? 5. Describe what sort of a personality Cyrus would have had. 6. Describe the key groups of people involved in the politics of the Near East in the 6th Century BC 7. Describe Cyrus’ conquests of the Medes, the Lydian’s and the Babylonians 8. Name two major cities that Cyrus conquered
Cambyses II, Smerdis and the accession of Darius 530–522 BC
Key people
Cambyses II ______
Bardiya/Smerdis ______
Amasis ______
Apis Bull ______
Prexaspes ______Magi ______
Darius I ______
Ahuramazda ______
Key words
Tyrant ______
Pharoah ______
Key sources
Bisitun Inscription ______
Practice questions
1. Describe the key events and achievements of Cambyses’ conquest of Egypt 2. The events surrounding Cambyses death 3. Explain how Darius came to the throne 4. Outline what we know about the final days of Cambyses 5. The story of the death of Cambyses relies on many unlikely coincidences. How much of it is believable? 6. Does Cambyses deserve to be thought of as a great conqueror like his father, or were his achievements much less significant? 7. In what ways did the sources present Cambyses in comparison to Cyrus?
The reign of Darius the Great 522-486BC
Key people
Achamenes ______
Scythians ______
Cybebes ______Darius ______
Yauna ______
Miltiades ______
Megabazus ______
Skudra ______
Hippias ______
Key words
Arta ______
Drauga ______
Satrapies ______
Satrap ______
Apadana ______
Medise ______
Phalanx ______
Practice Questions
1. How did Darius put down the rebellion which flared up when he became king? 2. How did Darius expand and organise the empire during his reign? 3. What were the key events of the Scythian campaign? 4. The key events of the Ionian revolt and the subsequent invasions of mainland Greece 5. How did Darius create a royal dynasty and link himself to Cyrus? 6. What ways did religion play and important part to Darius as King? 7. What was Darius military policy? 8. What building projects did Darius undertake and why did he commission them?
Xerxes I and the Greeks, 486-465BC
Key people
Xerxes I ______
Demaratus ______
Immortals ______
Leonidas ______
Cimon ______
Key events
The Battle of Thermopylae ______
The Battle of Salamis ______
The Battle of Eurymedon ______
Key words
Hubris ______Nemesis ______
Hoplite ______
Trireme ______
Hellenic League ______
Delian League ______
Practice questions
1. Outline the key events of the invasion of Greece 2. How did he ascend into power? 3. What happened at the battle of Eurymedon? 4. What happened at the battle of Salamis? 5. What happened at the battle of Thermopylae? 6. How was Xerxes characterised by the sources? 7. Outline the reasons why Xerxes invaded Greece. 8. What were the typical battle tactics used by the Persian army and navy? 9. How do the achievements of Xerxes compare to those of Darius?
Useful sources and resources https://www.bloomsbury.com/cw/ocr-gcse-ancient-history/greece-and-persia/period-study-the- persian-empire-559-465-bc/general-resources/ https://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/gcse/ancient-history-j198-from-2017/specification-at-a- glance/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iokGgmrOj4Q https://www.history.org.uk/podcasts/categories/439/podcast/150/introduction-to-the-persian- empire