Darius I (the Great)

2. Darius I (the Great) • Darius took control of his father’s (Cyrus) empire and expanded it’s borders from India to Europe. Darius expanded the Bureaucracy of the empire and expanded the military role. H.S. Darius maintained the largest empire known to man in which people cooperated willingly. Further, the spread of Zoroastrianism throughout the empire may influenced several later religions (such as Christianity)

3. Persian Wars • After the Ionian revolt, Darius I and then his son Xerxes attempted to invade the Greek mainland. Although the Greek faced overwhelming odds they fought back and eventually defeated the Persian invaders. H.S.- This led to Athens becoming leaders of the Greek world (as well as their cultural/political ideas) and eventually Persia losing its grasp of power on the Mediterranean.

4. Pericles • Pericles transferred power of government to the Assembly, Council of 500 and People’s Courts. From this point forward men of moderate background could hold office and participate in the political process. H.S.- This began the tradition of Athenian Democracy. Although the practice of democracy ended with the Peloponnesian war the ideals of Athenian Democracy were spread thanks to Alexander and continue today.

5. Ptolemies • This was one of the 3 Macedonian dynasties that took over the Egyptian territory of Alexander’s Empire. The Ptolemies took control of the administrative structure of the Pharaoh’s and made vast amounts of money. H.S.- The Ptolemaic rulers never truly assimilated to the Egyptian culture and did not force Greek culture on the Egyptians. This resulted in a disconnect between the Greek rulers of Egypt and their subjects. This was also a sign of Egyptians’ resentment of the Greek’s exploitation and arrogance of their nation.