The Aftermath of the Peloponnesian War and the March of the 10,000 Greeks
Jul 25, 2024
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Explore the aftermath of the Peloponnesian War with the 10,000 Greek soldiers under Cyrus, uncovering Greek-Persian interactions and power struggles. Delve into the dynamics of the Persian Empire, the role of mercenaries, and Cyrus's rebellion. Follow Xenophon and the mercenaries on their post-war adventures, navigating battles and alliances in a changing political landscape.
41:30
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Quick takeaways
The Persian Empire's influence on Greek politics shaped alliances and interventions, impacting events like the rise of the Athenian Empire.
Xenophon's 'Anabasis' vividly portrays the struggles, alliances, betrayals, and ultimate survival of the 'Ten Thousand' Greek mercenaries on their treacherous journey home.
Deep dives
The Stranded Greek Mercenaries Led by Cyrus and Their Journey Home
When the Persian Prince Cyrus died, his Greek soldiers, 10,000 strong, found themselves stranded in enemy territory. Led by their loyalty to pay and survival, these battle-hardened mercenaries faced harsh winter conditions as they marched homeward through snowy mountains, where they endured snow blindness, frostbite, and ambushes by local tribesmen. The Greeks, accustomed to lives of warfare, grappled with the concept of 'home' as they journeyed through dangerous lands filled with fallen comrades and constant threats.
The Ongoing Interaction Between Persians and Greeks
The podcast delves into the less-explored period between the Greco-Persian Wars and Alexander the Great, revealing the consistent interaction between Persia and Greece. The Persian Empire's influence affected Greek politics as Persian gold facilitated alliances and interventions in Greek affairs. The podcast emphasizes how the relationship between Persians and Greeks shaped the political dynamics of the time, impacting events such as the rise of the Athenian Empire.
Xenophon's Account of the March of the Ten Thousand
Xenophon, a Greek soldier, offers a firsthand account of the treacherous journey of the 'Ten Thousand,' Greek mercenaries led by Cyrus. Through Xenophon's narrative in 'Anabasis,' the challenges faced by the mercenaries on their march home after Cyrus's death are vividly portrayed. The story highlights their struggles, alliances, betrayals, and eventual survival against formidable odds.
The Fall of the Persian Empire
As the podcast unfolds, it traces the declining fortunes of the Persian Empire under Artaxerxes II's reign, marked by internal conflicts and rebellions. The succession struggles following Xerxes's death, including Cyrus's failed rebellion and the ensuing conflicts, exemplify the internal challenges that weakened the empire, setting the stage for its eventual fall to Alexander the Great.
The famous Greco-Persian Wars didn't mark the end of the relationship between Persia and Greece, but its beginning. For the next 150 years, the seemingly internal politics of the Greek world became increasingly tied to what was happening under the rule of Persia's Greek king, culminating in the Peloponnesian War and its aftermath.
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