Thinking Like a Persian King: Professor John Hyland on the Persian Perspective of the Greco-Persian Wars
Sep 28, 2023
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Explore the Persian perspective on the Greco-Persian Wars through newly discovered evidence, analyzing Herodotus's account, and understanding the Persian king's intentions. Discover the expansion of Persian Empire studies and the importance of primary sources. Challenge the idea of the wars being isolated events and delve into the continuous interaction between Persia, Sparta, and Athens.
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Quick takeaways
Understanding the Persian perspective of the Greco-Persian Wars requires accessing new sources like the Persepolis Fortification Archive.
Exploring the connections and continuities between the Persian Empire and other Near Eastern empires enhances our understanding of their perspective on the Greek wars.
The Greek perspectives on Persia varied, with some city-states viewing Persia as a potential ally or trade partner while others sought their protection against rival Greek city-states.
Deep dives
The Wars Between the Greeks and the Persians: A Foundational Conflict
The wars between the Greeks and the Persians hold significant importance in the birth and development of the Western world. They shaped Greek identity and their sense of themselves in opposition to the outside world. However, there is a lack of attention on the Persian perspective of these conflicts. Recent decades have seen a dramatic change in the understanding of the Persians through extensive research and access to new sources, such as the Persepolis Fortification Archive.
The Persepolis Fortification Archive: Illuminating the Persian Empire
The Persepolis Fortification Archive is a valuable collection of administrative documents that sheds light on the day-to-day workings of the Persian Empire. These tablets provide insights into Persian society, governance, and economy. While there is no narrative account of the Persian wars, these documents offer a glimpse into the systemic background and logistics of the empire.
Persian Empire and its Connections to Near Eastern Empires
The Persian Empire had strong connections to other Near Eastern empires like the Neo-Babylonian and Assyrian empires. Similarities can be observed in state ideology, royal imagery, provincial governance, military organization, and logistics. These connections and continuities enhance our understanding of the Persian perspective on the Greek wars and provide a contrast to the Greek narratives.
Greek Perspectives on the Persian Empire
The Greek perspectives on the Persian Empire varied. While Athens and Sparta had a more adversarial view due to their conflicts, many other Greek city-states interacted with the Persians in different ways. Some saw Persia as a potential ally or trade partner, while others considered them as patrons and sought their protection against rival Greek city-states. The Greek perspectives on Persia were diverse and shaped by their own interests and alliances.
Understanding the Sources: Using Herodotus and Persian Art to Interpret the Wars
Herodotus provides rich insights into the conflicts, but his account should be used responsibly as a secondary source. However, Persian art, particularly the seal impressions on the Persepolis Fortification Tablets, offers valuable visual evidence that complements and enhances our understanding of the Persian perspective of the wars. These images and symbols help us interpret the campaigns, triumphs, and royal performances of the Persian Empire.
When we think about the wars between the Persians and the Greeks, our perspective is quite explicitly that of the Greeks. But how did the Persians view these conflicts, and what were they after? Professor John Hyland explains his fascinating research on how the Persians understood war and their war with the Greeks.
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