Lecture Notes: Teaching in the 21st Century - Herodotus, Persian Empire, and Greek City-States

Introduction

• Topic Overview: The lecture covers the nature of teaching, history as a profession, and the histories of Persian Empire and Greek city-states.

Herodotus: The Father of History

• Background: Greek man living in Halicarnassus under Persian control.
• Major Work: The Histories (Historia).
• Purpose: To preserve the deeds of Greeks and 'Barbarians', and explain human conflicts.
• Initial Stories: Mention of IO and disputes between Greeks and Phoenicians leading to Peloponnesian Wars.
• Approach: Focus on human actions without supernatural explanations.

Persian Empire

Origin and Expansion

• Geography: Originated in what is now Iran; extensive empire covering parts of Eurasia, the Eastern Mediterranean, and parts of Africa.
• Founding Dynasty: Achaemenid Dynasty, founded by Cyrus around 550 BCE.
• Key Rulers: Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius I.

Administrative Structure

• Satrap System: Local governors (satraps) collected taxes and maintained order.
• Darius' Contributions: Reformed taxation and standardized laws; created an efficient administrative system.
• Military: Professional soldiers funded by stable tax revenue.

Belief Systems

• Main Religion: Zoroastrianism with its primary text, Avesta.
• Core Beliefs: Dualism of good (Ahura Mazda) and evil; cosmic struggle; judgment day.
• Rituals: Fire altars maintained by priests (Magi); unique burial practices.

Cyrus the Great

• Policy of Tolerance: Allowed local customs and religions; aimed to collect taxes and maintain stability.
• Significance: Freed Hebrews from Babylonian captivity.
• Death: Killed in battle, possibly indicating non-Zoroastrian burial practices.

Greek City-States

General Characteristics

• Decentralization: Politically independent city-states connected through trade and cultural practices.
• Key City-States: Athens (largest), Sparta.
• Economy: Irrigated farming; major crops included barley, olive trees, and grapes.

Athens

• Democracy: Developed direct democracy by 508 BCE for men above 20.
• Solon's Reforms (594 BCE): Abolished certain taxes; launched debt cancellation programs.
• Military: Hoplite soldiers with superior armor and battle formations (phalanx).

Sparta

• Class Structure: Spartans (citizen-soldiers), Dwellers Around (conquered free people), Helots (slaves).
• Military Focus: Intensive military training; oligarchical system with Council of Elders and two kings.

Greco-Persian Wars

Major Battles and Outcomes

• Battle of Marathon (490 BCE): Greek victory against Darius’ forces.
• Battle of Thermopylae: Persian victory, but followed by Greek Naval success at Salamis.
• Impact on Persia: Established a stable border with Greece; Greek cultural growth post-war.
• Cultural Reflection: Tragedies and comedies flourish; Aeschylus' The Persians emphasizes shared humanity.

Hellenistic Period and Alexander the Great

Conquest and Administration

• Alexander's Empire: Inherited Persian administrative practices; ruled through satrapies.
• Military Skill: Conquered massive territories but failed to sustain political unity after his death.
• Hellenization: Greek culture spread through soldier settlements; mixed with local cultures.

Post-Alexander

• Division: Empire split into three major regions (Ptolemy in Egypt, Antigonus in Greece/Macedon, Seleucus in Central/Western Asia).
• Cultural Centers: Alexandria became a hub for scientific and cultural advancements (Euclid, Eratosthenes).

Conclusion

• Key Takeaway: Effective and stable governance involves nuanced administrative systems that manage diversity within overarching unity, seen in both Persian and subsequent Hellenistic Empires.