E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 8. An Unequal Struggle

Kent Kently

5 Jan 201712:33

EducationalLearning

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TLDRThe transcript from 'A Little History of the World' by E. H. Gombrich, Chapter 8, 'An Unequal Struggle,' recounts the fascinating history of the Persians and their rise to power under Cyrus the Great. It details the Persians' initial subjugation by the Assyrians and Babylonians, their subsequent liberation, and Cyrus's conquest of the Babylonian Empire. The narrative then shifts to the Persian Empire's expansion under Darius, the Ionian Revolt, and the Greeks' resistance, leading to the legendary Battle of Marathon. The story culminates in the Persian Wars, highlighting the Athenians' victories at Marathon and Salamis, and the final defeat of the Persian land army at Plataea. The chapter emphasizes the Greeks' innovative spirit and their relentless pursuit of new ideas, contrasting with the rigid traditions of the Eastern empires, and ponders the profound impact of these historical events on the subsequent development of Western civilization.

Takeaways

🏺 The Persians, with their worship of light and the Sun, lived in the high mountain chain of Mesopotamia and were initially dominated by the Assyrians and Babylonians.
🏰 Cyrus the Great, a Persian ruler, led his people to victory against the Babylonians, freeing captive peoples including the Jews, and expanded the Persian Empire to include Egypt.
🌐 Darius, Cyrus's son, governed a vast empire stretching from Egypt to India, enforcing his rule through strict control and surveillance.
⛵ The Ionian Greeks rebelled against Persian rule, leading to the famous Athenian support and the Persian retaliation that aimed to conquer Greece.
🏃‍♂️ The Battle of Marathon in 490 BC saw the Athenians, led by Miltiades, defeat the larger Persian forces, with the iconic marathon run to deliver a warning to Athens.
🚢 The Persians, under Xerxes, assembled a massive army to attack Greece, including a naval force that was defeated at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC due to the Greeks' larger, more effective ships.
🏺 The Spartans, with their law of never retreating, made a heroic stand at the Battle of Thermopylae, where 300 Spartans and 700 allies were killed.
🏛 Themistocles, the Athenian leader, played a crucial role in preparing Athens for war, emphasizing the importance of a fleet and the evacuation of Athens to the island of Salamis.
🌟 The Greeks' victories at Marathon and Salamis were not just military triumphs but also a testament to their innovative and adaptive nature, which contrasted with the rigid traditions of the Eastern empires.
📚 The period following the Persian Wars was marked by significant cultural and intellectual advancements in Athens, influencing art, philosophy, and science.
❗ The script ponders the 'what if' scenario of Persian victory, highlighting the importance of these battles in shaping the course of history and the development of Western civilization.

Q & A

What significant event occurred between 550 and 500 BC that the narrator finds intriguing?
-The significant event was the rise of the Persians, a mountain tribe with a unique religion, who were led by Cyrus to challenge and eventually overthrow the Babylonians, marking the start of their expansion.
Who was Cyrus and what was his role in Persian history?
-Cyrus was a ruler of exceptional courage and intelligence who led the Persians to victory against the Babylonians, freeing his people from oppression and becoming the Lord of a great realm.
What was Cyrus's first act after becoming the ruler of the Babylonian realm?
-Cyrus's first act was to free all the peoples held in captivity by the Babylonians, including the Jews who were allowed to return to Jerusalem.
Why did the Ionian Greeks rebel against Persian rule?
-The Ionian Greeks, accustomed to running their own affairs and making independent decisions, did not wish to be ruled by a Persian king, nor would they pay tribute to him, leading to their rebellion.
How did the Athenians support the Ionian Greeks during their rebellion against the Persians?
-The Athenians supported the Ionian Greeks by sending them ships, demonstrating their opposition to Persian rule and their solidarity with the rebelling colonies.
What was the outcome of the battle at Marathon?
-The Athenians, led by the general Miltiades and despite being heavily outnumbered, were victorious against the Persian forces at Marathon, causing the Persians to suffer heavy losses and retreat.
Why did the Athenians win the battle at Marathon despite being outnumbered?
-The Athenians' victory can be attributed to their general Miltiades' knowledge of Persian tactics, their desperation to protect their freedom, and the element of surprise in their attack.
What was the famous marathon run and how did it relate to the battle at Marathon?
-The famous marathon run was when a messenger ran from the battlefield at Marathon to Athens to deliver the news of the Athenian victory. He ran so far and so fast that he delivered his message and then collapsed and died.
Who was Darius and what was his reaction to the Athenian victory at Marathon?
-Darius was the king of Persia, known as the 'king of kings'. He was furious with the Athenians for their victory at Marathon and aimed to destroy Athens and conquer Greece, but was thwarted by a storm and later died without achieving his goal.
What was Xerxes' strategy in his attempt to conquer Greece and how did it fare?
-Xerxes, Darius's son, assembled a massive army from across his empire and personally took command to invade Greece. However, his forces faced significant setbacks, including the destruction of his bridge of boats and a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Salamis.
How did the Greeks manage to defeat the Persians at the Battle of Salamis?
-The Greeks, despite having larger and less maneuverable ships, fought desperately for their freedom and were inspired by their previous victory at Marathon. They managed to ram and sink many of Xerxes' smaller, lighter galleys, leading to a significant Persian defeat.
What was the long-term impact of the Persian Wars on the Greek city-states, particularly Athens?
-The Persian Wars had a profound impact on the Greek city-states, particularly Athens, fostering a period of innovation and change. This era saw significant advancements in art, philosophy, politics, and science, with many of these ideas and creations continuing to influence Western civilization.

Outlines

00:00

🏺 Persian Ascendancy and the Battle of Marathon

This section details the rise of the Persians from a mountain tribe to rulers of a vast empire under Cyrus the Great. Cyrus, a leader of exceptional courage and intelligence, led his people to victory against the Babylonians, freeing many peoples, including the Jews. His son Cambyses conquered Egypt, ending its long-standing empire. Darius, Cyrus's successor, expanded the empire and sought to subdue the Greeks, particularly the Ionian Greeks and the Athenians. The Athenians, led by the general Miltiades, achieved a surprising victory against the Persians at the Battle of Marathon, despite being heavily outnumbered.

05:00

🏺 The Aftermath of Marathon and the Second Persian Invasion

Following the Athenian victory at Marathon, Miltiades astutely noticed the Persians' intent to attack Athens by sea. A messenger was sent to warn the Athenians, which led to the famed marathon run. Miltiades and his army rushed back to Athens, and upon their arrival, the Persians retreated without further conflict. The narrative then shifts to Darius's successor, Xerxes, who amasses a massive army to exact revenge on Greece. Despite the overwhelming size of the Persian forces, the Greeks, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, put up a brave fight at the Battle of Thermopylae. The Persians were eventually defeated at the Battle of Salamis, where the Greek fleet, under the guidance of the Athenian leader Themistocles, outmaneuvered the Persian fleet. This victory, along with another on land at Plataea, marked the end of Persian ambitions to conquer Greece.

10:01

🏺 The Legacy of the Persian Wars and the Athenian Golden Age

The text concludes by reflecting on the significance of the Greek victories over the Persians. It emphasizes the Greeks' ability to innovate and adapt, in contrast to the rigid traditions of the Eastern empires. This spirit of constant change and innovation is credited with the flourishing of Athenian culture in the century following the Persian Wars, with contributions in philosophy, arts, and science that continue to influence the modern world. The narrative ponders the hypothetical outcome had the Persians been victorious and concludes the chapter on a reflective note.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Persians

The Persians were an ancient people who lived in the high mountain chain that runs north of Mesopotamia. They had a religion that worshipped light and the Sun and were in constant warfare with the dark powers of evil. In the context of the video, the Persians, led by Cyrus, rose against their oppressors, the Babylonians, and eventually became the rulers of a vast empire, marking a significant shift in ancient world power dynamics.

💡Cyrus the Great

Cyrus the Great was the ruler of the Persians who led his people to freedom from the Babylonians and became the Lord of a great realm. His leadership and the subsequent freeing of captive peoples, including the Jews, are highlighted in the video as pivotal moments that demonstrate his exceptional courage and intelligence. His actions set the stage for the expansion of the Persian Empire.

💡Babylon

Babylon was an ancient city and a powerful kingdom whose rulers had dominated the Persians for centuries. In the video, the Babylonians are depicted as a mighty civilization that looked down on the small band of Persian warriors led by Cyrus. However, under Cyrus's leadership, the Persians managed to conquer Babylon, symbolizing a significant turning point in the history of the ancient Near East.

💡Ionian Greeks

The Ionian Greeks were a group of Greek city-states located along the coasts of Asia Minor. They were known for their independence and self-governance, which put them at odds with the Persian Empire's attempts to exert control. Their rebellion against Persian rule is a central theme in the video, illustrating the Greeks' resistance to foreign domination and their desire for autonomy.

💡Darius

Darius was the king of the Persian Empire who succeeded Cyrus and expanded the empire to stretch from Egypt to the frontiers of India. He is portrayed in the video as a meticulous ruler who built roads for efficient communication and used informers, known as the 'Kings eyes and ears,' to maintain control over his vast territories. His ambition to conquer Greece and his subsequent failure at the Battle of Marathon are key events in the narrative.

💡Battle of Marathon

The Battle of Marathon was a significant military engagement between the Persian Empire, led by Darius, and the Greek city-state of Athens. Despite being heavily outnumbered, the Athenians, under the leadership of Miltiades, achieved a surprising victory, which is depicted in the video as a pivotal moment that saved Athens and Greece from Persian domination.

💡Miltiades

Miltiades was a general of the Athenian army who played a crucial role in the Battle of Marathon. The video highlights his bravery, strategic acumen, and knowledge of Persian fighting tactics, which contributed to the Athenians' victory against overwhelming odds. His leadership is emblematic of the Athenian spirit of resistance and the importance of military strategy in warfare.

💡Xerxes

Xerxes was the son of Darius and the king who sought to avenge the Persian defeat at Marathon by assembling a massive army to invade Greece. His ambition and the scale of his forces are emphasized in the video, illustrating the might of the Persian Empire. However, his defeat at the Battle of Salamis, as depicted in the video, marked another significant setback for Persian ambitions in Greece.

💡Battle of Thermopylae

The Battle of Thermopylae was a significant event during the Persian Wars where a small force of Spartans and their allies made a heroic stand against the much larger Persian army. Their bravery and sacrifice, as described in the video, became a symbol of Greek resistance and are remembered for their adherence to law and their refusal to flee in the face of overwhelming odds.

💡Battle of Salamis

The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle during the Persian Wars where the Athenian fleet, led by Themistocles, defeated the Persian fleet. The video highlights the Athenians' ingenuity and the strategic use of their larger, heavier ships to ram and sink the lighter Persian galleys. This victory, along with the earlier win at Marathon, was instrumental in preserving Greek independence.

💡Persian Wars

The Persian Wars were a series of conflicts between the Persian Empire and Greek city-states that took place in the 5th century BC. The video focuses on the significance of these wars in shaping the course of ancient history, with the Greeks' victories at Marathon and Salamis being key moments that prevented Persian domination and allowed Greek civilization to flourish.

Highlights

The Persians, a mountain tribe with a unique religion worshipping light and the Sun, were dominated by the Assyrians and Babylonians before rising against their oppressors.

Cyrus, a Persian ruler of exceptional courage and intelligence, led his people to victory against the Babylonians, becoming Lord of a great realm.

Cyrus freed all the peoples held captive by the Babylonians, including the Jews, who returned to Jerusalem in 538 BC.

Cyrus' son, Cambyses, succeeded in conquering Egypt, marking the end of the Egyptian Empire that had lasted almost 3,000 years.

Darius, who governed the vast Persian Empire from Egypt to India, built roads and established a system of surveillance through informers known as the King's eyes and ears.

The Ionian Greeks rebelled against Persian rule, leading to support from the mainland Greeks, particularly the Athenians.

Darius, enraged by the Athenians' interference, aimed to destroy Athens and conquer Greece but was thwarted by a storm that destroyed his fleet.

At the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, the Athenians, led by General Miltiades, defeated the Persians despite being heavily outnumbered.

The famous marathon run was a desperate message delivery to warn Athenians of the Persian fleet's approach, after which the Athenians were victorious.

Xerxes, Darius' successor, assembled a massive army to take revenge on Greece, but faced significant challenges, including a bridge of boats being destroyed by waves.

The Battle of Thermopylae saw 300 Spartans and 700 of their allies make a heroic last stand against the Persian advance, despite being betrayed and surrounded.

The Athenians, under the leadership of Themistocles, built a fleet and evacuated Athens to the island of Salamis, avoiding the Persian land invasion.

The Battle of Salamis in 480 BC saw the Greek fleet, led by the Athenians, defeat the Persian navy, despite being outnumbered.

The Persian Land Army was defeated by the Greeks and their allies near Plataea in 479 BC, marking the end of Persian ambitions to conquer Greece.

The Greeks' success was attributed to their innovative and adaptive nature, in contrast to the rigid traditions of the Eastern empires.

Athens experienced a cultural and intellectual boom in the century following the Persian Wars, with advancements in philosophy, arts, and sciences that continue to influence the modern world.

The chapter concludes with a reflection on the significance of the Greek victories and the potential alternate history if the Persians had been successful.

Transcripts

Browse More Related Video

Chapter 8: A Little History of the World by E.H. Gombrich classroom reading

Beginning of the Greco Persian Wars | World History | Khan Academy

Second Persian Invasion

Battle of Thermopylae - Spartans vs Persians

Cyrus the Great establishes the Achaemenid Empire | World History | Khan Academy

Overview of ancient Persia | World History | Khan Academy

E.H. Gombrich 'A Little History of the World' 8. An Unequal Struggle

Takeaways

Q & A

What significant event occurred between 550 and 500 BC that the narrator finds intriguing?

Who was Cyrus and what was his role in Persian history?

What was Cyrus's first act after becoming the ruler of the Babylonian realm?

Why did the Ionian Greeks rebel against Persian rule?

How did the Athenians support the Ionian Greeks during their rebellion against the Persians?

What was the outcome of the battle at Marathon?

Why did the Athenians win the battle at Marathon despite being outnumbered?

What was the famous marathon run and how did it relate to the battle at Marathon?

Who was Darius and what was his reaction to the Athenian victory at Marathon?

What was Xerxes' strategy in his attempt to conquer Greece and how did it fare?

How did the Greeks manage to defeat the Persians at the Battle of Salamis?

What was the long-term impact of the Persian Wars on the Greek city-states, particularly Athens?