Greek & Persian Wars
The Persian Empire (521? B. C. and c. 480 B. C.)
This investigation is under construction.
Materials & Activities
Map: The Persian Empire, c. 480 B. C.
Text: Herodotus, The Histories, “The Persians discuss three types of government” (Book III, 3.80 – 3.82).
Image: From a cylinder seal of Darius I from Thebes, Egypt. | VIEW this object in the British Museum
Student Responses
Map: The Persian Empire, c. 480 B. C.
STUDENT: Why does Persia have all the land? Did they conquer, steal, or buy it? How did they get it?
S: Persepolis might have taken over Athens.
TEACHER: What makes you think that?
S: It looks like it’s trying to expand.
T: It?
S: Athens. It’s expanded to some islands.
S: [Another student, contributing a different perspective] Right now the Persian Empire is a lot bigger and more powerful.
S: One is so big and one is so tiny and nothing’s going to happen?
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S: Persia’s covered so much land — it must be a very powerful union or country.
T: Talk more about that. What makes you say that?
S: It wants to rule, to be big and powerful.
S: They seem like they want a lot of land. … Why do you need so much land?
S: It seems like what she said — getting more and more land — but why does Greece have less land? … I’m wondering how long they’ve been going like this. It seems like they could expand more.
S: What Sandra said — that they’re trading — I don’t think they are. It seems like they want to fight over land.
S: I can see why she thinks that — it looks like Persia’s trying to move in.
Text: Herodotus, The Histories, “The Persians discuss three types of government” (Book III, 3.80 – 3.82).
S: He wants a few rulers — himself, basically.
S: I also think another reason he doesn’t want democracy is that once you’re in power you don’t want to give up that feeling of control.
…
S: He’s saying, “I’m the best; I make the best decisions.”
S: On the map, Persia has the most land. They want a new king so they can take over Athens.