In the long history of mankind, there is an empire that shines with a unique light like a bright pearl. Straddling three continents of Europe, Asia and Africa, it ruled a vast territory from India to Egypt, creating an empire that had never been seen before. The empire was not only known for its military might, but also for its unique way of governing and cultural inclusiveness. Its rulers conquered with wisdom and tolerance, not by force alone. They even used a seemingly inconspicuous animal, the camel, to defeat a formidable foe. This empire was the Persian Empire, a superpower that stood out in its own in the ancient world. So, how did the Persian Empire rise? And how did it dominate the world with tolerance and camels? Let's unveil this mysterious empire together and discover its saga.
It is said that in the distant land of Western Asia, there was a country called the Medes, and King Astyages had a strange dream. In the dream, he saw a large tree growing out of his daughter's belly, and its branches covered the whole of West Asia. This dream frightened the king so much that he hurried to find someone to interpret the dream. Dream interpreters say that this means that the king's grandson will in the future take his throne and rule all of Western Asia.
When the king heard this, he immediately panicked. As a precaution, he married his daughter to an ordinary man from far away in Persia. Unexpectedly, it didn't take long for her daughter to give birth to a boy, who would later become Cyrus the Great.
Astyages dared to let this potential threat live, and immediately ordered the minister to dispose of the newborn baby. But the minister could not bear to kill the innocent baby with his own hands, so he gave the child to a shepherd. The shepherd's wife happened to give birth to a dead baby, so they replaced Cyrus with the dead baby and raised him to adulthood.
This child with an extraordinary background has shown an extraordinary temperament since he was a child. Once, 10-year-old Cyrus whipped the son of a nobleman while playing a game of kings with other children. The incident caused a stir and finally alarmed Astyages. Only then did the king realize that his grandson was still alive.
However, the priest next to the king said that since the child had already been king in the game, the prophecy would be fulfilled and he would not be a real king in the future. When the king heard this, he relented a little and sent Cyrus back to Persia.
Who would have thought that this decision would become an opportunity for the rise of the Persian Empire. As he grew older, Cyrus gradually united the various tribes of Persia with his talent and charisma. They began to resent the rule of the Medes, wondering why the Persians should be oppressed by the Medes. So, in 550 BC, Cyrus led the Persians in an uprising.
The revolt came so suddenly that the Medes were caught off guard. Astyages sent a large army to suppress it, but the commander betrayed and surrendered to Cyrus. After three years of fierce fighting, Cyrus finally defeated the Medes and established the Achaemenid dynasty, which was the beginning of the Persian Empire.
However, Cyrus's ambitions went far beyond that. He set his sights on two other powers in Western Asia: Lydia and Babylon. When the Lydian king Cloesus heard that Persia had destroyed the Medes, fearing that he would be the next target, he decided to strike first. He went to the famous temple of Delphi in Greece to ask for an oracle, and the answer was that "if there is a war, there will be a great empire that will fall". Croesus thought that this meant the end of the Persian Empire, and confidently sent his troops.
Who knows, Cyrus made a surprise move - to take the lead with a camel. These tall camels frightened the Lydian horses into fleeing, and the cavalry was forced to turn into infantry, only to be defeated by the Persian army. It dawned on Croesus that the oracle was about the end of his own empire.
Next, Cyrus set his sights on Babylon. Babylon claims to be an impregnable city, but it is vulnerable to Cyrus. The Persian army captured Babylon with little effort, and it was occupied peacefully. It turned out that the priests of the Babylonian temple took the initiative to open the gates of the city and welcome the Persian army into the city.
In this way, in just a few years, Cyrus built a great empire across Western Asia. His success was not only due to military victories, but also to his unique way of rule. Cyrus respected the customs and religious beliefs of the conquered region and allowed the local nobility to continue to govern, a policy of tolerance that laid the foundation for the long-term stability of the Persian Empire.
When Cyrus the Great established this vast empire, one of the big problems he faced was: how to manage so many different peoples? You see, the Persian Empire spanned three continents and ruled over a vast area from India to Egypt. How many languages, how many religions, how many cultures, I am afraid that even Cyrus himself could not count them.
In other empires, they may adopt a high-pressure policy, forcing everyone to speak Persian, believe in Persian gods, and learn Persian culture. But Cyrus didn't think so. He came up with a brilliant idea: instead of forcing people to become Persians, it was better for Persians to adapt to the culture of each place.
As soon as this idea came out, it startled his ministers. Someone said, "My lord, will this make the empire lose its unity?" Cyrus smiled and said: "Unity does not mean uniformity, we want harmony, not monotony." "
Thus, Cyrus began to implement his policy of tolerance. First, he allowed the localities to retain their own religious beliefs. In Babylon, instead of destroying the local temple, he helped to restore it. He even participated in the Babylonian New Year celebrations to pay homage to the local deity, Marduk. This move immediately won the favor of the Babylonians.
Not only that, but Cyrus did something amazing. He freed the Jews from Babylonian captivity and financed the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem. The Jews were so moved by this decision that they even called Cyrus "the anointed of God." Consider the fact that a pagan king could receive such a title shows how successful Cyrus's policy of tolerance was.
Administratively, Cyrus also adopted a flexible strategy. He divided the empire into provinces, but did not directly send Persians to administer them. Instead, he allowed the local nobility to continue to govern their lands, paying taxes and providing soldiers to the Persian Empire. In this way, people everywhere do not feel any major changes in their lives, and naturally there will be no rebellion.
After Cyrus's son Cambyses succeeded to the throne, although he was irascible, he basically continued his father's policy of tolerance. After his conquest of Egypt, although he was somewhat disrespectful to the pharaoh, he did not destroy Egyptian culture on a large scale. He even learned the customs of the Egyptians and ruled Egypt as a pharaoh.
It was Darius I who really took this policy of tolerance to the extreme. He not only inherited the practices of his predecessors, but also further improved the entire system. Darius divided the empire into 20 provinces, each of which had a relatively independent status. He allowed the use of his own language and preserved his own customs. But in order to strengthen central control, he created "eyes and ears for the king" – a role akin to a secret service that oversaw the situation everywhere.
Darius also did something very interesting. He built a magnificent palace in Persepolis, but the workers who built it came from all over the empire. The Egyptians were responsible for stone carving, the Babylonians were responsible for bricklaying, and the Greeks were responsible for decoration, and each ethnic group played its own specialty. The palace became a symbol of multicultural integration and the inclusiveness of the Persian Empire.
The benefits of such a policy of tolerance are clear. First of all, it significantly reduced the contradictions and conflicts within the empire. If each ethnic group can maintain its own characteristics, it is natural that there will not be much dissatisfaction. Secondly, it promotes the exchange and integration of cultures. The cultures of different regions collided with each other on the great platform of the Persian Empire, generating many new sparks. Finally, it also earned a good reputation for the Persian Empire. In the world at that time, the Persian Empire was seen as an enlightened, progressive country.
Of course, this policy is not without risks. Sometimes, excessive autonomy can lead to the growth of local powers, threatening the rule of the central government. But in general, this tolerant style of rule laid the foundation for the long-term stability of the Persian Empire, allowing it to stand tall in the turbulent ancient world and become a true superpower.
The rise of the Persian Empire was not only based on tolerant rule, but also on its great military power. In the military sphere, the Persians showed amazing innovation, the most notable of which was the use of camel cavalry.
In 547 BC, Cyrus the Great led his army to a decisive battle with the Lydian king Croesus on the plain of Putria. Croesus was confident, and his cavalry was invincible at the time. Cyrus, however, came up with a clever plan.
Before the battle began, Cyrus ordered his soldiers to gather all their pack camels, unload their cargo, and change them into cavalry equipment. These camels, who are usually only responsible for transporting supplies, are suddenly pushed into battle, and even they themselves are confused.
When the two armies met, Croesus' cavalry charged as was customary. However, when they saw a herd of tall camels on the opposite side, they were dumbfounded. It turns out that horses are naturally afraid of the smell of camels. When these horses smelled the smell of camels, they immediately began to panic, some turned around and ran, and some threw off their riders.
The cavalry turned into infantry, and the Persian infantry took the opportunity to attack. Croesus' army was thrown into chaos in an instant, and finally returned with a crushing defeat. In this way, Cyrus defeated the most elite cavalry of the time with a group of "amateurs", laying the foundation for the expansion of the Persian Empire.
In addition to camel cavalry, the Persian army was also known as the "Legion of the Dead". This elite force, consisting of 10,000 sons of the Persian and Medesian nobility, was called "immortal" because it was always numbered at 10,000, and was immediately replenished with new members as soon as someone was killed or retired.
The Undead Legion is not only a combat unit, but also the emperor's imperial guard. They are well-armed, well-trained, and invincible on the battlefield. It is said that the soldiers of this army wore gold ornaments and ornate robes, and from a distance they looked like a golden army.
However, what is truly terrifying about the undead legions is not their equipment, but their will to fight. The story of 300 Spartan warriors stubbornly resisting the Persian army at the Battle of Thermopylae is widely known, but what is less known is that after the Spartans, 700 Thespians and 400 Thebans fought equally heroically. And they were facing the undead legions of Persia.
Although the Greek coalition was ultimately defeated, the battle cost the undead legion dearly. It is said that the Persian king Xerxes, seeing the undead army with heavy losses, could not help but exclaim: "I have many men, but not many warriors. "
Speaking of war, it is impossible not to mention the 18 battles of Darius I. When Darius succeeded to the throne, he found that there was some turmoil within the empire. As a result, he launched a series of military operations, and in just over a year he was able to put down 19 rebellious provinces.
The most famous of these campaigns was the operation against the Maga. The Maga were a nomadic people living in what is now eastern Iran, and they often harassed the Persian border. Darius decided to personally lead the crusade.
However, the Maga were very cunning. Instead of going head-to-head with the Persian army, they resorted to guerrilla tactics. They blocked water sources and burned pastures in the path of the Persian army, leaving the Persian army in a difficult position.
Darius had an idea and came up with a brilliant plan. He left some of the remnants of the army in the camp, and he himself led the elite troops to quietly circle the rear of the Maga. The Maga, believing that the Persian army had retreated, returned to their villages. At this moment, Darius suddenly attacked, annihilating the main force of the Maga in one fell swoop.
This battle not only showed Darius's military prowess, but also demonstrated the flexibility of the Persian army. They were able to adopt different tactics according to different terrains and enemies, which was an important reason why the Persian Empire was able to conquer such a vast territory.
The Persian military innovations were also reflected in their logistical support system. Darius built a vast network of post stations that covered the entire empire. These stations were not only used to relay information, but also to provide supplies and resting places for soldiers on the march. With this system, the Persian army was able to move quickly over a vast territory, which greatly increased the mobility of the army.
The strength of the Persian Empire was reflected not only in its military conquests, but also in its booming economy and rich cultural exchanges. During the reign of Darius I, the Persian Empire enjoyed unprecedented economic prosperity and became the center of cultural intermingling in the ancient world.
When Darius I took office, he first set about reforming the monetary system of the empire. He minted a unified currency called the "Gold Darius Coin", which was of high purity and weight, and soon became the common currency throughout the empire and beyond. It is said that the gold content of this gold coin was so high that the later Alexander the Great retained the use of this currency when he conquered Persia.
With a unified currency, trade naturally becomes more convenient. Darius also built the "Royal Highway" that ran through the empire, a 2,500-kilometer road that connected the eastern and western ends of the empire. Merchants could follow this route, transporting spices from India to Asia Minor, olive oil from Greece to Persia, and papyrus from Egypt to Babylon.
On this avenue, there is an interesting story. It is said that on one occasion, a Greek merchant brought a cart of precious wine to the Persian palace to sell it. Halfway through, he meets a group of robbers. Seeing that the goods were about to be robbed, a group of Persian cavalry suddenly ran from a distance and scared the robbers away. It turned out that it was a soldier sent by Darius to patrol. The merchant was grateful, and when he arrived at the palace, he took out the best jar of wine and gave it to the king. Darius was full of praise after tasting it, and from then on, Greek wine became a favorite of the Persian royal family.
In addition to overland trade, the Persians also opened up sea routes. Darius sent a fleet of ships from the Indus River and sailed along the Arabian coast all the way to the Nile in Egypt. This expedition not only opened up new trade routes, but also greatly increased the Persians' understanding of the outside world.
Booming trade brought great wealth, and the treasury of the Persian Empire soon became full. Darius decided to use this wealth to improve people's livelihoods. He built water conservancy and dug canals all over the country. In the arid Persian plateau, he introduced a system of underground waterways called kanat, which was able to divert snowmelt water from the mountains to distant plains, greatly increasing agricultural yields.
In terms of culture, the Persian Empire presented an unprecedented diversity of landscapes. Due to the vast size of the empire, which ruled over so many different ethnic groups, it was natural for various cultures to mingle here.
In the palaces of Persepolis, we can see artistic styles from Egypt, Greece, Babylon, etc. The Persians didn't just copy these styles, but combined them to create a unique Persian style. For example, Persian capitals are often carved in the shape of two-headed oxen, a design that blends elements of the ancient Near East and Greece.
Language exchange is also very active. Although Persian was the official language of the empire, in everyday life, one could hear several languages such as Aramaic, Greek, Egyptian, and more. Darius even ordered the laws of the empire to be translated into various local languages so that the populace could understand and obey them.
Religiously, the Persians are predominantly Zoroastrian, but they are open to other religions as well. In Egypt under Persian rule, people were still free to worship their gods. The Jews, with the support of Persia, rebuilt the temple in Jerusalem. Even the temples of the Greeks were preserved in Asia Minor, which was ruled by Persia.
This blending of cultures took place not only within the Persian Empire, but also affected the surrounding areas. For example, the art of garden art in Persia spread to Greece. It is said that when the Athenian general Kemen saw the garden of the Persian nobles, he was so inspired that he built a similar park in Athens after returning home, and it became a good place for Athenians to relax and entertain.
The exchange of science and technology is even more frequent. The Persians learned astronomy and mathematics from the Babylonians, which in turn spread to India. On this basis, the Indians developed the concept of "zero", which was later transmitted to Europe through the Arabs and had a profound impact on the development of world civilization.
In this context of economic prosperity and cultural intermingling, the Persian Empire became a huge melting pot of the ancient world, where various ideas, technologies, and arts collided and collided with dazzling sparks. This not only enriched the culture of Persia itself, but also made a significant contribution to the development of human civilization as a whole.
The glory of the Persian Empire was not eternal. Over time, the vast empire began to show signs of decline. Beginning with Xerxes I, the rulers of the Persian Empire gradually lost the talents of their predecessors, and internal contradictions intensified, and finally collapsed under the iron heel of Alexander the Great.
Xerxes I succeeded to the throne and focused his attention on the conquest of Greece. In 480 BC, he crossed the strait with a large army and invaded Greece. However, the expedition ended in failure. At the Battle of Salamis, the Persian fleet suffered a crushing defeat, and Xerxes had to flee back to Asia in disarray.
This defeat not only dealt a blow to the military prestige of Persia, but also greatly weakened the treasury. In order to raise funds for the war, Xerxes levied taxes on a large scale, causing discontent among the populace. At the same time, he indulged in the lavish life of the court, neglected political affairs, and gave local officials the opportunity to be corrupt.
There is a popular story about how Xerxes punished a corrupt official. The official, named Sisumnes, was guilty of taking bribes. When Xerxes learned of this, he ordered Sisumnes to be skinned alive and wrapped in his leather around the judgment seat, and appointed the son of Sisumnes as the new judge, warning him not to repeat the mistakes of the past. The story, while brutal, reflects the level of corruption in Persian officialdom at the time.
Subsequent kings, such as Artaxerxes I, Darius II, etc., failed to reverse the decline of the empire. They had to contend with frequent palace coups and local rebellions. Artaxerxes II, the longest-reigning emperor, even had to compete with his younger brother Cyrus the Younger for the throne.
In 401 BC, Cyrus the Younger rebelled and marched towards the capital with an army of 10,000 Greek mercenaries. Although Cyrus the Younger was killed at the Battle of Kunaxa, the civil war severely weakened the Persian state. To make matters worse, the Greek mercenaries involved in the campaign managed to retreat back home, bringing back a wealth of information about the weakness of the Persian Empire, which laid the groundwork for Alexander the Great's later crusades.
Darius III, the last king of the Persian Empire, faced an even more dire situation. Egypt was once again free from Persian rule, and rebellions broke out everywhere. It was at this time that Alexander, a young Macedonian king, led a coalition of Greek troops across the strait and began the conquest of the Persian Empire.
In 334 BC, Alexander won his first battle on the banks of the Granicus River, defeating the Persian army. Darius III personally led his army to meet him, but was again defeated at the Battle of Issus, and even his family was captured by Alexander. The final decisive battle took place in Gaugamela, which, despite the large number of Persian troops, was already unable to withstand the charge of the Macedonian army. Darius III fled in a hurry and was eventually killed by his men, and the Persian Empire came to an end.
The decline of the Persian Empire left many lessons for later generations. The first is the rigidity of the political system. In the later years of the Achaemenid dynasty, the centralized system gradually went to extremes. The king's power swelled indefinitely, but his actual ability to govern was declining. In order to curry favor with the king, local governors often reported false prosperity scenes, making it impossible for the central government to detect and solve problems in a timely manner.
The second is the imbalance in the economic structure. The later Persian Empire relied too much on conquest and plunder to maintain revenue, neglecting the development of agriculture and handicrafts. When military expansion stalled, a huge bureaucracy and military spending became a heavy burden.
Then there is the lack of cultural identity. Although the Persian Empire had always been known for its inclusiveness, this diversity became a hidden danger in the later years. Regions lack common cultural ties and can easily fall apart once the central power weakens.
Finally, there is the lag of military reform. The Persian army gradually slackened in the long period of peace, and its combat effectiveness declined. Their opponents, the Greeks and Macedonians, were constantly improving their tactics and equipment. By the time of Alexander's crusade, Persia's military superiority was gone.
The rise and fall of the Persian Empire illustrates the life cycle of an ancient superpower. Its rise is a testament to the importance of inclusive policies and effective management, while its decline is a reminder to future generations not to forget about change and innovation, and not to fall into extravagance and corruption. Although this once-behemoth has disappeared into the long river of history, its legacy and lessons are still influencing the world today.