Persian and Greek invasion: Persian invasion; Alexander, the Great and his legacy.

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India has a varied culture and traditions, many of them have been influenced by the foreign culture. India being a prosperous and rich country with great civilisation, it attracted the empires from long and many civilisations like Persian and Macedonian have invaded India for riches and few settled back while others left country with gold and diamonds. In all the great invasions of Ancient India Persian and Greek are the major ones.

Iranian (Persian) & Macedonian (Greek) Invasion

Persian Invasion (550 BC)-

Contemporary to reign of Bimbisara, Persian attacked N-W front of India & Magadha continued to rise in N-E & Central-north in India
In N-W front of India, several small provinces like Kamboja, Gandhara & Madra did not have a political unity & continuously fought with each other
Archaemadian ruler of Iran, Cyprus took advantage of this political disunity & invaded west front of India.
All Indian tribes west of Indus River submitted to him including Gandhar
Darius 1, Grandson of Cyprus conquered Indus valley as a whole & annexed Punjab & Sindh (N W India)
Xerxes, Successor of Darius, employed Indian infantry & cavalry in war against Greece but got defeated & hence could not move forward in India. However, control of Persians over India slackened only after Alexander’s invasion on India

Effects of Persian Invasion

Impetus to Indo Iranian commerce & trade, which finally became the ground for Alexander’s invasion
Use of Kharoshti script bought by Iranian gain popularity in N-W India & some inscription of Ashoka (250 BC) are written in this language (derived from Aramaic script, written from right to left)
Influence of Persian art in India, Particularly monolithic pillars , & sculptures found on them along with inscriptions

Alexander’s Invasion (327 BC)

After 2 centuries of Persian invasion, Alexander from Macedonia invaded India. Alexander conquered minor Asia along with Iraq & Iran and from Iran he marched into India

Alexander conquered whole of Persia by defeating Darius 3 in battle of Arabela (330 BC).
Herodotus, Father of history, wrote that fabulous wealth of India attracted Alexander & moreover his interest in Geographical enquiry & love of natural history urged him to invade India
Alexander believed that on eastern side of India lies continuation of the sea & hence by conquering India, he would conquer eastern boundary of the world
After conquest of Iran, he marched into India through Khyber pass 327 BC & crossed Indus in 326 BC.
Ambhi, the ruler of taxila readily submitted to him but Porus whose kingdom lay between Jhelum & Chenab refused to submit to Alexander

Battle of Hydaspes (Jhelum)

Although Porus had a vast army & fought bravely, but he lost to Alexander
Alexander, impressed by the bravery of Indian prince reinstated him to his throne and made him his ally.
Then he advanced as far as river Beas, he wanted to move further but war weary, diseased, Hot weather of India & 10 year of continuous fighting led to the refusal of Greek soldiers to move further (Refusal also came because of the enormous power of Nandas of Magadha).
Hence, Alexander divided his conquered territories into 3 Parts & placed them under 3 Greek governors.

Effect of Alexander’s Invasion

1^stcontact b/w Europe & India paved the way for increased trade & commerce
Encouraged political unification of India under Mauryas

Alexander the Great : Some Key Points

Alexander’s campaigns greatly increased contacts and trade between the East and West, and vast areas to the east were significantly exposed to Greek civilization and influence. Successor states remained dominant for the next 300 years during the Hellenistic period.

Over the course of his conquests, Alexander founded some 20 cities that bore his name, and these cities became centers of culture and diversity. The most famous of these cities is Egypt’s Mediterranean port of Alexandria.

Hellenization refers to the spread of Greek language, culture, and Population into the former Persian empire after Alexander’s conquest.

Alexander’s death was sudden and his empire disintegrated into a 40-year period of war and chaos in 321 BCE. The Hellenistic world eventually settled into four stable power blocks: the Ptolemaic Kingdom of Egypt, the Seleucid Empire in the east, the Kingdom of Pergamon in Asia Minor, and Macedon.

The Persian invasion of Greece was a series of conflicts between the Achaemenid Empire and a coalition of Greek city-states that lasted from 499 to 449 BC. The invasion was the culmination of a series of revolts by Greek city-states against Persian rule, which began in 499 BC with the Ionian Revolt. The Persians responded to the revolt by sending a large army to Greece, which was defeated by the Greeks at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC. The Persians then invaded Greece again in 480 BC, this time with a much larger army. The Persians were initially successful, defeating the Greeks at the Battle of Thermopylae and capturing Athens. However, the Greeks regrouped and defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC. The Persians were then forced to retreat from Greece, and the Greco-Persian Wars came to an end with the Peace of Callias in 449 BC.

The Greco-Persian Wars were a major turning point in world history. They marked the first time that a European power had successfully resisted an invasion from Asia, and they helped to spread Greek culture and ideas throughout the Mediterranean world. The wars also had a profound impact on the development of Greek Democracy, as they led to the rise of powerful leaders such as Pericles and Themistocles.

The Battle of Marathon was a battle fought between the Athenians and the Persians in 490 BC, during the first Persian invasion of Greece. The battle was a decisive Athenian victory, and it marked the first time that a European power had successfully resisted an invasion from Asia.

The battle took place at Marathon, a plain about 40 kilometers (25 miles) northeast of Athens. The Athenians, led by Miltiades, had a force of about 10,000 men, while the Persians, led by Datis and Artaphernes, had a force of about 25,000 men.

The Persians attacked the Athenians early in the morning, and the two armies clashed in the center of the plain. The Athenians were initially pushed back, but they then rallied and counterattacked. The Persians were routed, and they fled back to their ships. The Athenians pursued the Persians to their ships, and they killed many of them.

The Battle of Marathon was a decisive victory for the Athenians, and it marked the first time that a European power had successfully resisted an invasion from Asia. The battle also had a profound impact on the development of Greek democracy, as it led to the rise of powerful leaders such as Miltiades.

The Battle of Thermopylae was a battle fought between the Greeks and the Persians in 480 BC, during the second Persian invasion of Greece. The battle was a Greek defeat, but it is remembered for the heroic stand of the Spartans and their allies.

The battle took place at Thermopylae, a narrow pass in central Greece. The Greeks, led by King Leonidas of Sparta, had a force of about 7,000 men, while the Persians, led by Xerxes I, had a force of about 250,000 men.

The Persians attacked the Greeks at Thermopylae, and the two armies clashed in the pass. The Greeks fought bravely, but they were outnumbered and outmatched. The Persians eventually broke through the Greek lines, and the Greeks were forced to retreat.

The Battle of Thermopylae was a Greek defeat, but it is remembered for the heroic stand of the Spartans and their allies. The battle showed that the Greeks were willing to fight to the death to defend their homeland, and it helped to inspire the Greeks to victory in the subsequent battles of Salamis and Plataea.

The Battle of Salamis was a naval battle fought between the Greeks and the Persians in 480 BC, during the second Persian invasion of Greece. The battle was a decisive Greek victory, and it marked the end of the second Persian invasion of Greece.

The battle took place in the Strait of Salamis, between the island of Salamis and the mainland of Greece. The Greeks, led by Themistocles, had a fleet of about 300 ships, while the Persians, led by Xerxes I, had a fleet of about 1,200 ships.

The Persians attacked the Greeks at Salamis, but the Greeks were able to defeat them. The Persians suffered heavy losses, and they were forced to retreat from Greece.

The Battle of Salamis was a decisive Greek victory, and it marked the end of the second Persian invasion of Greece. The battle also had a profound impact on the development of Greek naval power, as it showed that the Greeks were able to defeat the Persians at sea.

The Battle of Plataea was a battle fought between the Greeks and

Persian invasion of Greece

What was the Persian invasion of Greece?
The Persian invasion of Greece was a series of conflicts between the Achaemenid Empire and Greek city-states that took place in the 5th century BC. The first Persian invasion was launched by Darius I in 492 BC, but it was defeated by the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon. The second Persian invasion was launched by Darius’ son Xerxes I in 480 BC, and it resulted in the Persian capture of Athens. However, the Greeks regrouped and defeated the Persians at the Battle of Salamis in 480 BC and the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC. The Persian invasion of Greece was a major turning point in world history, as it marked the first time that a European power had successfully resisted an invasion from Asia.
Who were the main participants in the Persian invasion of Greece?
The main participants in the Persian invasion of Greece were the Achaemenid Empire and the Greek city-states. The Achaemenid Empire was a vast empire that stretched from Egypt to India, and it was ruled by the Persian king Darius I. The Greek city-states were independent political units that were located in what is now Greece and southern Italy. The most powerful Greek city-states were Athens, Sparta, and Thebes.
What were the causes of the Persian invasion of Greece?
The causes of the Persian invasion of Greece are complex and disputed. Some historians believe that the Persians invaded Greece in order to punish the Greeks for their support of the Ionian Revolt, a rebellion against Persian rule that took place in 499-494 BC. Other historians believe that the Persians invaded Greece in order to expand their empire and gain control of the Mediterranean Sea.
What were the results of the Persian invasion of Greece?
The results of the Persian invasion of Greece were mixed. The Persians were initially successful in conquering much of Greece, but they were eventually defeated by the Greeks at the Battle of Salamis and the Battle of Plataea. The Persian invasion of Greece marked the first time that a European power had successfully resisted an invasion from Asia, and it helped to establish Greece as a major power in the Mediterranean world.

Alexander the Great and his legacy

Who was Alexander the Great?
Alexander the Great was a king of the ancient Greek kingdom of Macedon. He was born in Pella, Macedonia, in 356 BC, and he died in Babylon in 323 BC. Alexander is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history, and he is known for his conquest of the Persian Empire.
What were Alexander’s accomplishments?
Alexander the Great conquered the Persian Empire, which was the largest empire in the world at the time. He also conquered Egypt, Syria, Mesopotamia, and parts of India. Alexander’s empire stretched from Greece to India, and it was the largest empire in the world at the time of his death.
What was Alexander’s legacy?
Alexander the Great’s legacy is complex and controversial. He is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history, but he is also criticized for his brutality and his expansionist policies. Alexander’s conquests led to the spread of Greek culture throughout the Middle East, and he is considered one of the founders of the Hellenistic world.

The Persian Empire was founded by:
(A) Cyrus the Great
(B) Darius the Great
(C) Xerxes the Great
(D) Artaxerxes I
The Persian Empire was at its height under the rule of:
(A) Cyrus the Great
(B) Darius the Great
(C) Xerxes the Great
(D) Artaxerxes I
The Persian Empire was conquered by:
(A) Alexander the Great
(B) Julius Caesar
(C) Napoleon Bonaparte
(D) Genghis Khan
Alexander the Great was born in:
(A) Pella, Macedonia
(B) Athens, Greece
(C) Sparta, Greece
(D) Thebes, Greece
Alexander the Great was the king of:
(A) Macedonia
(B) Greece
(C) Persia
(D) Egypt
Alexander the Great conquered the following regions:
(A) Persia
(B) Greece
(C) Egypt
(D) All of the above
Alexander the Great died in:
(A) Babylon
(B) Persepolis
(C) Ecbatana
(D) Susa
Alexander the Great’s empire was divided among his generals after his death. This led to the following wars:
(A) The Diadochi Wars
(B) The Punic Wars
(C) The Peloponnesian Wars
(D) The Trojan Wars
Alexander the Great is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history because of his:
(A) Brilliant strategy
(B) Fearless Leadership
(C) Unparalleled conquests
(D) All of the above
Alexander the Great’s legacy includes the following:
(A) The spread of Greek culture throughout the world
(B) The creation of a vast empire that stretched from Greece to India
(C) The development of new military tactics and strategies
(D) All of the above