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07 The Persian Wars w/ Ian Morris (Herodotus, Thucydides, Xenophon)

Ancient Greece Declassified

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Cultural Contrasts between Persian and Greek Societies

The Persian Empire is characterized by a ruling elite dominating the peasantry who live in isolated villages, resulting in diverse languages and cultures among the peasants. In contrast, the Greek world is more homogenous ethnically, with the elite more connected to the citizens creating cultural similarities across the social spectrum. The Greeks resist absorption into large empires due to their unique social structure and strong regional connections, making it challenging for the Persians to conquer the Greek world.

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