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Quick takeaways
- Darius the Great's ascension to the throne is marked by rebellions from kings claiming descent from previous royal families.
- The Persian army of the time period had a strong focus on archery and utilized close order infantry, cavalry, and renowned Immortal guard units.
- Darius' failed invasion of the Central Asian nomads demonstrates the challenges faced by the Persian army against elusive and fiercely independent tribes.
- The encounter between the Persians and Scythians captures historians' attention due to the exotic and menacing nature of the nomadic tribes involved.
- The Persian Empire's preparations for invading Greece leads to divisions among Greek city-states and sets the stage for upcoming conflicts.
- The dedication to training and cohesive unit movement makes the Spartan army more formidable compared to other Greek armies.
Deep dives
The Usurpation of Bardia
Darius the Great carves a biased account in three languages on a rock facade, claiming that Cambyses killed his brother Bardia and that he later assassinated the imposter claiming to be Bardia, taking the throne for himself.
Unraveling the Mystery of Cambyses' Death
The circumstances of Cambyses' death are unclear, with some historians suggesting assassination by his underlings, while others propose the theory that he died by his own hand. The lack of concrete evidence leaves the truth elusive.
The Reign of Darius and the Rise of the Liar Kings
Darius ascends to the throne and faces rebellions in various provinces by kings claiming descent from previous royal families. These kings, known as the liar kings, create challenges for Darius as he fights to maintain control of the Persian Empire.
Persian army tactics and organization
The Persian army during this time period had a strong focus on archery, with a majority of their troops being skilled archers. They utilized close order infantry, often packed shoulder to shoulder, with archers shooting over their heads. The army also had a formidable cavalry, which could unleash devastating attacks on their enemies. They had guard units known as the Immortals, renowned for their fighting abilities. The Persian army was highly skilled in intelligence gathering, diplomacy, meticulous planning, and engineering. They had the ability to bridge rivers, dig canals, and knock down walls. The Persians also incorporated mercenaries and levied troops from their empire's vast territories.
Darius' failed invasion of the Central Asian nomads
Darius, the Persian king, attempted to invade the lands occupied by the Central Asian nomadic tribes but faced challenges due to their elusive nature. These nomads had the advantage of retreating into the vast open expanse of the steppe, making it difficult for Darius' army to chase them. The Scythians, in particular, were known for their merciless and menacing tactics. Darius tried to persuade the Scythian king, Thyrsos, to stop fleeing and engage in battle, but the Scythians refused. Instead, they employed scorched earth tactics, retreating deep into their own territory and destroying resources to exhaust the Persian army. Darius' pursuit eventually wore his troops out, leading to the failure of the invasion.
Persian respect and challenge from the Greeks
The Greek authors, including Herodotus, recognized the formidable capabilities of the Persian army and respected their military prowess. The Persians were known for their archery skills, cavalry, and utilization of combined arms tactics. However, Darius' failed invasion of the Central Asian nomads highlighted the challenges faced by the Persian army. This event captured the attention of historians due to the exotic and menacing nature of the nomadic tribes involved. The Persians' encounter with the Scythians demonstrated the difficulty of engaging these elusive and fiercely independent tribes. This event set the stage for the upcoming conflicts between the Persians and Greeks, where the Greeks saw an opportunity to challenge the Persian empire.
Persian preparations for invasion of Greece
The Persian Empire prepares for an invasion of Greece, gathering a large army and fleet. They send envoys to Greek city-states and islands, requesting submission and calling for earth and water as a token of surrender. Many submit, but Athens and Sparta refuse.
Greek divisions and Persian strategy
Within Greece, there are divisions among city-states, with factions supporting different approaches to the Persian threat. The Persians take advantage of these divisions and bring back a former Athenian tyrant to support their cause. They plan an amphibious operation, using their combined arms army and horse transports to carry out a strategic landing.
The clash of hoplites and Persian forces
There is debate among historians about the effectiveness of Greek hoplite armies against the Persians. The heavily armed and armored Greek hoplites are known for their phalanx formation and decisive battles. The Persians, on the other hand, have a combined arms army and utilize various tactics. The stage is set for a clash between these opposing forces.
The Spartan Army and the Importance of Training
The speaker discusses the importance of training in the Spartan army and how it sets them apart from other Greek city-states. While other cities only gathered their fighters sporadically, the Spartans drilled and trained as a cohesive unit. This made their army seem otherworldly to their opponents and gave them a significant advantage in battle. The speaker argues that the Spartans' dedication to war preparation and their ability to move as a group made them more formidable compared to other Greek armies.
The Battle of Marathon and the Challenges Faced
The speaker explores the Battle of Marathon and the challenges faced by the Athenian army. The Athenians, outnumbered and lacking cavalry and archers, were at a tremendous disadvantage against the Persian forces. However, driven by a sense of urgency and motivated to protect their city, the Athenians decided not to wait for Spartan reinforcements. They formed a phalanx and charged towards the Persians, breaking through their lines and ultimately achieving victory. The intense close-quarters combat and the psychological stress of facing their enemies up close made ancient warfare a uniquely brutal experience.
The Fear of Bayonet Fighting
Bayonet fighting in ancient warfare was both feared and abhorred by soldiers. Lieutenant Colonel Dave Grosman notes that the proximity to the victim intensifies the resistance to killing, and bayonet range is especially intense. However, historians suggest that in historical battles, one side often retreats before the bayonet fighting actually takes place. Soldiers would turn their guns around or use the butts of their rifles as clubbing instruments instead of engaging in close combat with bayonets. Ancient battlefield horrors and the horror of being bayonetted intensified fear, making bayonet fighting both terrifying and overwhelming.
The Psychological Impact of Ancient Battle
Ancient battles were intensely terrifying, and fear was a significant factor. Panic could spread rapidly among units on the confined ancient battlefields, and a single soldier's actions could trigger panic in an entire unit. Stress would increase the probability of soldiers losing their nerve and running. The integrity of the formation would erode, and soldiers who stood their ground were at great risk of death or injury. The psychological impact of killing and witnessing brutal violence haunted soldiers and had long-lasting consequences. The cultural acceptance of killing and the expectation of bravery in battle influenced how ancient societies perceived and coped with the psychological and emotional aftermath of warfare.
From Biblical-era coup conspiracies to the horrific aftermath of ancient combat this second installment of the series on the Kings of Achaemenid Persia goes where only Dan can take it. For better or worse…
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