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History of Persia

English, History, 2 seasons, 168 episodes, 4 days, 16 hours, 50 minutes
About
A podcast dedicated to the history of Persia, and the great empires that ruled there beginning with the Achaemenid Empire of Cyrus the Great and the foundation of an imperial legacy that directly impacted ancient civilizations from Rome to China, and everywhere in between. Join me as we explore the cultures, militaries, religions, successes, and failures of some of the greatest empires of the ancient world. All credits available on the website (https://historyofpersiapodcast.com/) Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/support
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Bye Week 1: Libertalia

Alright. I'm moving house. Covid is ravaging my Secret Wars guest list. It's 104* F and I can't turn off my AC to record History of Persia. So we're trying a new thing tonight. Hope y'all like mythical pirate anarchism because that's what I have on hand.Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: www.rosettastone.comSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/28/20248 minutes, 57 seconds
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Must Listen Announcement!!!! (and the History of Gold minisode)

Very important announcements and updates about History of Persia and America: Secret Wars. Please visit our new fundraising page at HoPfulMedia.com.co !Patrons look for a special update just for you posting imminently!New subscribers use code ALEXANDER to get 1 month free when you sign up before July 31, 2024New annual subscribers use code GIZISTAG to get the first 2 months free before July 31, 2024Visit us on YouTube at YouTube.com/@hopfulmedia!Our Sponsors:* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/27/202430 minutes, 33 seconds
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Episode 2 Remastered

Last time, we got up to speed on what was going on in the Near East in the centuries before the Persians showed up. What we didn't cover, was who exactly are these "Persians," and what were they doing while their future empire was being taken over by the Assyrians. This time, we figure that out as we follow some steppe nomads called the Proto-Indo-Europeans on their 3000-ish year journey to becoming the Persians.Our Sponsors:* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/17/202452 minutes, 54 seconds
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Episode 1 Remastered!

Remastered - Here we go, episode 1! Now, as much as I want to get to Persian history, we should probably know at least a little bit about the world before the Persians got there, so this is you lightspeed tour of the Near East, from about 1200 BCE to 616 BCE. Maps for everything are available on the website.Our Sponsors:* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/7/202450 minutes, 36 seconds
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[Ex] Creation by Gore Vidal - Swords Sorcery & Socialism Crossover Part 2

Trevor and Aurora from Swords, Sorcery, and Socialism found the perfect crossover episode with Creation by Gore Vidal: a historical fiction novel set in the 5th Century BCE that follows a fictional descendant of Zoroaster on his worldwide journey to understand the mysteries of the universe.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/29/20241 hour, 6 minutes, 31 seconds
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[Ex] Creation by Gore Vidal - Swords Sorcery & Socialism Crossover Part 1

Trevor and Aurora from Swords, Sorcery, and Socialism found the perfect crossover episode with Creation by Gore Vidal: a historical fiction novel set in the 5th Century BCE that follows a fictional descendant of Zoroaster on his worldwide journey to understand the mysteries of the universe.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/21/20241 hour, 24 minutes, 55 seconds
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What if Cyrus III? Choose Your Own Alt History Live

This is audio from the live event with Sariel and Umberto from So You Think You Can Rule Persia last year. I wrote a wildly over complicated Choose Your Own Adventure script about alternate histories if Cyrus the Younger defeated Artaxerxes II.So You Think You Can Rule PersiaPatreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Claritin: www.claritin.com* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/12/20241 hour, 53 minutes, 1 second
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125.2 Ask Me Anything Again... Again

You, the listeners of this very podcast, are phenomenal, thoughtful, inquisitive people. So I have done my very best to answer your many, many questions about the Achaemenid Persian Empire, Alexander the Great, and myself.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramHistory of the Celtsr/AskHistorians post about supply linesPatreon RSS feed instructionsPersian Music by ItShowTimeMusicThe Complete Fragments of Ctesias of Cnidus by Andrew NicholsCtesias' History of Persia: Tales of the Orient by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones and James RobsonOur Sponsors:* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/3/202456 minutes, 44 seconds
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125.1: Ask Me Anything Again

You, the listeners of this very podcast, are phenomenal, thoughtful, inquisitive people. So I have done my very best to answer your many, many questions about the Achaemenid Persian Empire, Alexander the Great, and myself.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | Instagramr/AskHistorians post about supply linesPatreon RSS feed instructionsPersian Music by ItShowTimeMusicThe Complete Fragments of Ctesias of Cnidus by Andrew NicholsCtesias' History of Persia: Tales of the Orient by Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones and James RobsonOur Sponsors:* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/1/202456 minutes, 36 seconds
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124: All Hail the New Gods

A new Hellenistic Age is dawning in the History of Persia, and with it come new Hellenistic gods and beliefs. Everyone is at least vaguely familiar with Greek mythology, but before we go any further, we should all be on the same page.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out undefined and use my code TODAY for a great deal: undefinedSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/14/202445 minutes, 27 seconds
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ASW 04: Triesta, a hot start to the Cold War II

Trevor is joined by Roberto Toro and Brendan Foster (@foster_writing) of The History of Saqartvelo Georgia (@History_Georgia) and Tsar Power (@TsarPowerPod) podcasts to discuss the post war occupation of Trieste and how tensions with Yugoslavia almost started World War III less than a year after World War II.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramGoldstein - Trieste, October 1945 to January 1947Jenning - Flashpoint Trieste: The First Battle of the Cold WarAllock - Border and Territorial DisputesRogers Churchill and Slany - Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe...Winston Churchill - "Iron Curtain" SpeechDinardo - Glimpse of an Old World Order? Reconsidering the Trieste Crisis of 1945Morrison - Eastern Europe and the WestNYT - Attack on U.S. Airplane; Patterson says shooting down of Americans was 'Wicked' and...NYT - Text of 2 U.s. Notes Answer Yugoslavia; His Plane DownedThe Sydney Morning Herald Friday 23 August 1946Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/3/20241 hour, 1 minute, 52 seconds
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ASW 03: Trieste, a hot start to the Cold War I

Trevor is joined by Roberto Toro and Brendan Foster (@foster_writing) of The History of Saqartvelo Georgia (@History_Georgia) and Tsar Power (@TsarPowerPod) podcasts to discuss the post war occupation of Trieste and how tensions with Yugoslavia almost started World War III less than a year after World War II.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramGoldstein - Trieste, October 1945 to January 1947Jenning - Flashpoint Trieste: The First Battle of the Cold WarAllock - Border and Territorial DisputesRogers Churchill and Slany - Foreign Relations of the United States, 1946, Eastern Europe...Winston Churchill - "Iron Curtain" SpeechDinardo - Glimpse of an Old World Order? Reconsidering the Trieste Crisis of 1945Morrison - Eastern Europe and the WestNYT - Attack on U.S. Airplane; Patterson says shooting down of Americans was 'Wicked' and...NYT - Text of 2 U.s. Notes Answer Yugoslavia; His Plane DownedThe Sydney Morning Herald Friday 23 August 1946Our Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/26/20241 hour, 3 minutes, 33 seconds
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123: Fever Pitch

Nowruz Mubarak! To celebrate the year 1394/2413/3762, I killed The Accursed Alexander of Rome, and covered the aftermath.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/20/202436 minutes, 9 seconds
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ASW: America's Very First War II

For part 2, Trevor is joined by Asha (@Herbo_Anarchist) of the “Swords, Sorcery, and Socialism” podcast (@SwordsNSocPod) to explain Secret Wars and discuss the first ever war fought by the United States’ armed forces after gaining independence: a border dispute between Georgia and the Muskogee (Creek) Confederacy from 1785-1790.DownloadPatreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSaunt – A New Order of Things: Property, Power, and the Transformation of the Creek Indians, 1733-1816Scurry – The Oconee War Parts 1-3Smith – History of the Georgia Militia, 1783-1861Chappell – Georgia History StoriesCoulter – Elijah Clarke’s Foreign Intrigues and the “Trans-Oconee Republic”Haynes – Patrolling the Border: Theft and Violence on the Creek-Georgia Frontier, 1770-1796Kokomoor – Let Us Try to Make Each Other Happy, and Not Wretched”: the Creek-Georgian FrontierKokomoor – Creeks, Federalists, and the Idea of Coexistence in the Early RepublicScurry – A Considerable Tract of CountryOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/12/20241 hour, 10 minutes, 6 seconds
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122: Alexander in Love

Alexander the Great had many relationships, both romantic and familial. From mother and father, Olympias and Philip, to a vast array of step-mothers and siblings to at least four romantic and sexual partners, the Macedonian royal family was as vast as it was confusing and controversial.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/10/202437 minutes, 1 second
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ASW: America's Very First War I

For the very first episode of America: Secret Wars, Trevor is joined by Asha (@HerboAnarchist) of the “Swords, Sorcery, and Socialism” podcast to explain Secret Wars and discuss the first ever war fought by the United States’ armed forces after gaining independence: a border dispute between Georgia and the Muskogee (Creek) Confederacy from 1785-1790.Patreon | Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSaunt – A New Order of Things: Property, Power, and the Transformation of the Creek Indians, 1733-1816Scurry – The Oconee War Parts 1-3Smith – History of the Georgia Militia, 1783-1861Chappell – Georgia History StoriesCoulter – Elijah Clarke’s Foreign Intrigues and the “Trans-Oconee Republic”Haynes – Patrolling the Border: Theft and Violence on the Creek-Georgia Frontier, 1770-1796Kokomoor – Let Us Try to Make Each Other Happy, and Not Wretched”: the Creek-Georgian FrontierKokomoor – Creeks, Federalists, and the Idea of Coexistence in the Early RepublicScurry – A Considerable Tract of CountryOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/3/20241 hour, 5 minutes, 2 seconds
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A Great, Big, Announcement (and the coins of Alexander the Great)

A massive announcement episode to explain my new podcast: America - Secret Wars, some news about the History of Persia, and Alexander the Great's coinage.Listen to America: Secret WarsApple | Spotify | RSSOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/3/202430 minutes, 54 seconds
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121: The Conquests to Come

In 323 BCE, Alexander the Great was preparing for future campaigns. Some sources say that Alexander wanted to defeat Carthage. Others say Alexander planned to attack Rome, but the most likely candidate was actually Alexander's planned Arabian campaign.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/18/202427 minutes, 58 seconds
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120: King the Conqueror

In 324 BCE, Alexander the Great took his first real break from war since he became king. At Susa, he orchestrated the mass marriage of his highest officers with Iranian noblewomen and honored the war heroes of his recent campaigns. Alexander faced another mutiny at Opis before heading to Ecbatana, where his closest companion, Hephaestion, died suddenly of an unknown illness, throwing the king into a deep depression.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/11/202435 minutes, 53 seconds
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119: Pirates of the Arabian

While Alexander the Great crossed Gedrosia, Nearchus sailed from the Indus to explore the Arabian Sea and chart the coast of the Macedonian Empire. They faced obstacles, became pirates, and fought seas monsters before even reaching the Persian Gulf. Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/1/202433 minutes, 51 seconds
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118: Dead Men's Rest

After the Battle of the Hydaspes, Alexander the Great began moving south through the Indus River Valley, battling the Mallians before nearly dying during the siege of their capital city. When he recovered, the Macedonians began to move west for their homeward journey, leaving only Nearchus' fleet and a few small garrisons behind.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/30/202443 minutes, 40 seconds
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117: At World's End

After subduing Bactria, Alexander the Great invaded India. The crossing through the Hindu Kush was heavily contested by various mountain peoples. The Macedonians conquered each opponent before facing of with King Porus in the Battle of the Hydaspes River.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/15/202440 minutes, 38 seconds
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116: In Stranger Lands

We return to Alexander the Great in Bactria and Sogdiana, fresh off his final defeat of the Achaemenids but suddenly faced with rebellion, treason, and... love?Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code PERSIA for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com/* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/29/202349 minutes, 31 seconds
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115: Meet the Neighbors #1

In a new recurring episode format, it's time to meet the neighbors, specifically the Nanda Dynasty of India. Of course, India's been here the whole time, but before Alexander the Great campaigns there in person, I should explain a bit about what was going on across the Indus River.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp and use my code PERSIA for a great deal: https://www.betterhelp.com/* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/23/202344 minutes, 29 seconds
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114: The Age of Heroes

After the conquests of Alexander the Great, the history of the Achaemenids slipped into legend, myth, and obscurity. By the 6th Century CE, the likes of Cyrus the Great, Darius the Great, Xerxes, and Artaxerxes had been all but forgotten in Iran. Instead, the Sassanid Persian Empire remembered the stories of great heroes from the Avesta, occupying the equivalent of the Achaemenids' place in history.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Factor 75 and use my code persia50 for a great deal: https://www.factor75.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/29/202341 minutes, 32 seconds
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113: Alexander - King of the Monsters

In the centuries following Alexander the Great's conquest of the Persian Empire, Iranian cultural memory changed and shifted, often in strange and unexpected ways. Alexandros Megas ton Makedon was remembered as Gizistag Iskandar-i Rhomiyag - the Accursed Alexander of Rome.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out BetterHelp : https://www.betterhelp.com/* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/18/202334 minutes, 41 seconds
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Join me at Intelligent Speech 2023

Join me at the Intelligent Speech Conference this Saturday, November 4 at 10am est. Here's last year's presentation before you come hear me talk about Communes, Cults, and Caliphs.Get your tickets at https://intelligentspeechonline.comUse promo code PERSIASupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/31/202345 minutes, 50 seconds
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112: King Darius Escapes

In the final weeks of 331 BCE, Alexander the Great took Babylon, Susa, and Persepolis almost entirely unopposed. By May 330, he had claimed Ecbatana as well and sent Darius III fleeing toward Bactria, but discontent was growing in both armies, and ultimately Artaxerxes V, rather than Darius, would lead Achaemenid Persia's final stand.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/30/202341 minutes, 34 seconds
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111: The Man Who Could Walk Through Empires

After Darius III's defeat at Gaugamela, Alexander the Great tore through the Persian capitals, taking Babylon and Susa without a fight, and only stalling on his way to Persepolis during the Battle of the Persian Gates. The Macedonians reveled, Persepolis burned, and King Darius fled, ceding Ecbatana to the conqueror.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/21/202336 minutes, 59 seconds
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110: Hercules in New War-k

Alexander the Great and Darius III square off in the Battle of Gaugamela, the Macedonians' first strike to take a Persian capital in Babylonia.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/15/202335 minutes, 30 seconds
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109 From Outer Egypt

Following his victory at Tyre, Alexander proceeded to take Egypt without much of a fight, but while he was there, the Macedonian Monarch did some minor administrative work like establishing the city of Alexandria and getting himself proclaimed Son of Zeus-Ammon. Meanwhile, Darius III was bracing for his next grand battle with the invaders.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Check out Rosetta Stone and use my code TODAY for a great deal: https://www.rosettastone.com/Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/10/202344 minutes, 52 seconds
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Bonus Teaser: Persia in the Renaissance

Find the full episode at Patreon.com/HistoryOfPersiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/28/20235 minutes, 31 seconds
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108: Dr. Alexander's Levant of Horrors

After the Battle of Issus, Alexander the Great and the Macedonian invasion force began working their way down the western coast of the Persian Empire while Parmenion raced through inland Syria. City after city surrendered without a fight until the Siege of Tyre, one of the most difficult battles in Alexander's career.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Sponsored by BetterHelp : https://www.betterhelp.com/persiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/18/202352 minutes, 50 seconds
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107: Hetairoi Monster

While Darius III gathered his forces in the east, Alexander was busy with the Siege of Halicarnassus, one of the most brutal encounters in Alexander the Great's career. Then Darius arrived, and east and west faced off in the Battle of Issus.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Sponsored by BetterHelp : https://www.betterhelp.com/persiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/29/20231 hour, 2 minutes, 26 seconds
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106: It Came From Beyond the Seas

In 334 BCE, Alexander the Great crossed into Asia to begin his invasion of the Persian Empire. Reluctant to intervene, Darius III left matters to his Satraps, dooming them in the Battle of the Granicus. So it begins.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Sponsored by BetterHelp : https://www.betterhelp.com/persiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/29/202358 minutes, 18 seconds
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105: The Life and Death of Philip II

It's time to turn back the clock - just a bit - and see what King Philip II of Macedon was doing over in eastern Europe while the Persians were busy with Egypt, rebels, and succession crises in the mid-4th Century BCE.IntelligentSpeechOnline.comPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Sponsored by BetterHelp : https://www.betterhelp.com/persiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/17/202358 minutes, 48 seconds
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Bonus Teaser: 1001 Iranian Nights

Patron Exclusive Bonus Episode on the storytelling of CtesiasPatreon.com/HistoryOfPersiaOur Sponsors:* Sponsored by BetterHelp : https://www.betterhelp.com/persiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/9/20234 minutes, 30 seconds
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104: The Darius Restoration

Darius III was handpicked by Bagoas the Elder to succeed Artaxerxes IV, but Bagoas realized his mistake too late. Darius was no puppet king. He seized the reigns and set to work stabilizing the Persian Empire, bringing them back from the brink of annihilation.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramOur Sponsors:* Sponsored by BetterHelp : https://www.betterhelp.com/persiaSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/7/202342 minutes, 10 seconds
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103: Breaking the Binary

Eunuchs and priestesses feature prominently in tales of lust, schemes, and curses to the fascination of the Classical sources. In the last major culture episode for the Achaemenids, it's time to talk about those who fell outside of the Empire's sex and gender norms. Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/25/20231 hour, 11 minutes, 47 seconds
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102: The Coup Without a King

After conquering Egypt, Artaxerxes III got to work ruling his empire. New buildings rose on the Persepolis terrace. Overly ambitious Macedonians had to be managed. A host of young princes needed to be trained, but wait... does this wine taste off to you, Bagoas?Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/11/202333 minutes, 49 seconds
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101: Calendar Madness

I discuss the religious calendars of Zoroastrianism, past and present, along with the Sirozah prayers for each day of the month.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/27/202351 minutes, 22 seconds
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100: The Greatest Achaemenid

EPISODE 100! To celebrate, I'm ranking the top 10 Achaemenid kings. You won't believe number 2!Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/4/202342 minutes, 55 seconds
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99: Slaves of the King

The Achaemenid Empire has a strange and complex history with enslavement. Today we separate fact and fiction both ancient and modern to discuss forced labor under Achaemenid rule.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/11/202341 minutes, 36 seconds
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98: Wars for the West

Even after disarming the western satraps, Artaxerxes III had his hands full in the west. It was time to retake Egypt, but that was easier said than done.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/4/202349 minutes, 59 seconds
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97: Bactria - Ruling the Later Empire

The Khaleeli Collection of Aramaic Documents from Achaemenid Bactria are an incredible and unique collection of Achaemenid records first revealed in 2012. They provide an otherwise impossible glimpse to Achaemenid rule in the northeastern provinces.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/21/202332 minutes, 48 seconds
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Bonus 33 Preview

The epic tale of the greatest wife guy of antiquity.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/12/20234 minutes, 55 seconds
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96: Ochus II

The final years of Artaxerxes II were filled with turmoil and sadness, but when his son Ochus rose to power as Artaxerxes III, the Persian Empire entered a new age. The new Artaxerxes set out to repair and remake the empire as his own.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/30/202345 minutes, 31 seconds
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95: The Holy Trinity

As we approach the end of Artaxerxes II, it's time to talk about his gods. All of a sudden, Anahita and Mithra began appearing alongside Ahura Mazda in royal inscriptions, but it turns out it may not have been so sudden after all.2022 Holiday Special: Mithra and MehreganPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/20/202345 minutes, 56 seconds
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94: Nehemiah

We continue the Biblical stories of Artaxerxes' reign with the arrival of Nehemiah, the new governor of Judea who's here to put Jerusalem back together again.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/13/202347 minutes, 21 seconds
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93: Ezra

Now we go back in time to the seventh year of Artaxerxes, and we'll explore the history Ezra the Scribe as he compiled an official Jewish Torah on the Great King's orders.Patreon Bonus 26: The Good BookPatreon Bonus 27: Names and DatesMoment.co/HistoryOfPersia – Live Event Tickets Now!So You Think You Can Rule PersiaPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/28/202337 minutes, 1 second
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92: Family Ties

It's time to take a step back and see what the royal family was up to in the decades following Cunaxa. Artaxerxes II married his daughters, meaning its time to discuss the controversial subject of Xwedodah. Then, it's on to a bloody conflict in the shadows as the royal princes battle for their succession rights.Moment.co/HistoryOfPersia – Live Event Tickets Now!So You Think You Can Rule PersiaPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/20/202344 minutes, 19 seconds
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Bonus 32 Preview

The Cambyses RomanceMoment.co/HistoryOfPersia – Live Event Tickets Now!So You Think You Can Rule PersiaPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/16/20234 minutes, 15 seconds
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91: The Great Satraps' Revolt

After years of quietly building up their strength, Ariobarzanes and Datames rebellion was out in the open, but unbeknownst to them, not all of their supposed allies were ready to abandon the Empire. Meanwhile, Greece and Egypt were both on the verge of war once again.Moment.co/HistoryOfPersia - Live Event Tickets Now!So You Think You Can Rule PersiaPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/13/202350 minutes, 41 seconds
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90: The Conflagration

As his generals struggled against Egypt, Artaxerxes dealt with their failures harshly - so harshly that his newest commander in the west rejected the Empire altogether. Fearing for his life whether he invaded Egypt or not, Datames quietly raised the rebel and tried to take all of Anatolia with him.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/6/202348 minutes, 20 seconds
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89: Wars for the West

With Greece and Cyprus once again at peace, it was time for the Persian Empire to pursue its war against Egypt once again. A new pharaoh takes the throne. Iphikrates attempts to reinvent the Greek soldier. Datames is on the rise. Artaxerxes is ascendant, and the King's Peace is left in the hand of his new Greek vassals.Patreon | Support Page | STORETwitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/28/202352 minutes, 32 seconds
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88: Peace At Last

In 386 BCE, The Greco-Persian Wars finally came to an end when Artaxerxes II settled the Corinthian War by forcing the Greeks to accept The Kings Peace. For Persia, that was just the tip of the iceberg. With Greece settled, the western Satraps turned their attention to Cyprus, bringing King Evagoras of Salamis to heal in preperation for the long awaited invasion of Egypt.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/14/202347 minutes, 44 seconds
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87: The Third Invasion

In 393 BCE, a Persian army landed in Greece and captured territory, marking the most successful invasion of Greek territory in a century. From there, the Aegean erupted into a quagmire of competing allegiances and revolts.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/6/202342 minutes, 11 seconds
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Announcement: New Year's News (and Persepolis Payments)

An unexpected announcement episode to explain some of the changes that come with a new hosting platform, and how Persepolis' workforce may or may not have been paid in silver coinage.History of Persia on YouTubeSwords, Sorcery, and SocialismWebsite | Apple | Spotify | RSSPatreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/31/202220 minutes, 51 seconds
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Bonus 32 Teaser

Xenophon's Cyropedia is a political treatise pretending to be a historical fiction novel pretending to be a biography of Cyrus the Great.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/26/20227 minutes, 43 seconds
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86: Old Enemies, New Friends

The Spartan Invasion of Anatolia continues. The incompetent Thibron was replaced first by Derkylidas, then by the Spartan King Agesilaus himself. Agesilaus' successes led to the final downfall of Tissaphernes, only to be completely undone with the arrival of Persia's newest ally: Athens.Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/28/202242 minutes, 40 seconds
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85: The Spartan War

We continue following the 10,000 mercenaries, straight into the Spartan Invasion of the Persian Empire. What? You thought the Greeks stopped caring just because Cyrus dead?Patreon | Support Page | STORETwitter | Facebook | Instagram--- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/5/202241 minutes, 37 seconds
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84: The 10,000 (aka Armenia III)

The long awaited march of the 10,000 Greek mercenaries from Cyrus the Younger's forces back toward Greece has begun.Patreon | Support Page | STORETwitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/22/202250 minutes, 25 seconds
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Bonus 30 Preview

A preview of Bonus episode 30, a review of Persians: Age of the Great Kings on Patreon.com/HistoryOfPersia --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/20/20228 minutes, 24 seconds
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HoPful Media Announcement (and Greek Coins)

Introducing HoPful Media, an overarching brand name that doesn't mean much now but might in the future. Plus a minisode about Greek coinage circulating in the Achaemenid Empire.Patreon | Support Page | STORETwitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/18/202232 minutes, 35 seconds
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2022 Mehregan Holiday Special!

Jashn-e Mehregan mubarak everyone! This year's roving holiday special is all about the traditional Feast of Mithra and the yazata it honors. Grab some sharbat, maybe a bowl of pistachios, and settle in for festivities ancient and modern with a healthy side of all of Mithra's awesome and badass jobs in the cosmos.Vulgar History - Listen Now!Apple | Spotify | RSS | WebsitePatreon | Support Page | STORETwitter | Facebook | InstagramSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/1/202255 minutes, 33 seconds
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83: Routine Maintenance

We follow the Spartan general, Clearchus, as he was taken into captivity in Babylon before following the royal court off to the building projects and border disputes of Artaxerxes II's empire. The Alexander Standard -Listen Now! Apple | Google | RSS | Website Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/26/202250 minutes, 6 seconds
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Solidarity with the Iranian People

In the last 8 days, at time of posting,  the country of Iran has been rocked by a nationwide uprising in response to the brutal murder of Zhina (Mahsa) Amini, a 22 year old Kurdish woman from the city of Saqqez who was living in Tehran. She was beaten into a coma by the Gasht-e Ershad, the Iranian morality police, and died in custody shortly after on September 16, 2022. Her crime? Being in public without a Hijab. This is my small contribution to that. As a platform innately connected to Iran and its history, I want to express the History of Persia Podcast’s unequivocal support for all those resisting oppression and theocracy in Iran. Beyond simply lending my voice to the international chorus cheering them on, I also hope that I can at least provide some exposure for the regime’s violence and the resistance against it by directing my listeners and social media followers toward sources of information. My ongoing Twitter thread The Federation of Anarchism Era Website | Twitter @asranarshism | Twitter @anarshist | Instagram | Facebook Outro music: "Bella Ciao" translated in Farsi by Daniela Sepehri Find her on Facebook | Bella Ciao Video The Revolutions Podcast anarchism episodes: Website | Apple | Spotify --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/24/202214 minutes, 36 seconds
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82: Debrief of the Brothers

After the battle of Cunaxa, both sides were left to deal with the fallout. In Babylon, Artaxerxes II and his supporters celebrated victory and punished treason. In the detritus of the battlefield, Cyrus the Younger's supporters were left to pick up the pieces and start their long walk home. Tsar Power Podcast - Listen Now! Apple | Spotify | RSS Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/20/202254 minutes, 4 seconds
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81: Cunaxa

After 6 months on the road, Cyrus the Younger and Artaxerxes II face off to decide who will be King of Kings, deciding the course of Achaemenid History forever after.  Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/11/202237 minutes, 57 seconds
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80: On the March

In 401 BCE, Cyrus the Younger set out with an army of supporters and mercenaries to defeat his brother, Artaxerxes II, and claim the Persian throne for himself. But first they had to get there. Grand Dukes of the West Apple | Spotify | RSS | Website Merch On Sale Now! Go to HistoryOfPersia.LaunchCart.store Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/2/202238 minutes, 15 seconds
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79: Cyrus III

Cyrus the Younger returned to Sardis as Karanos in 404 BCE, still nursing dreams of becoming king. Over the next three years he quietly built up an army of mercenaries and prepared his subjects for war, gathering them under false pretenses to march against his brother, King Artaxerxes II. So You Think You Can Rule Persia? - Listen Now! Apple | Spotify | RSS Merch On Sale Now! Go to HistoryOfPersia.LaunchCart.store Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/27/202236 minutes, 32 seconds
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78: Robe and Dagger

In 404 BCE, Darius II died. The king's death sparked fierce but quiet competition for the throne between the supporters of Cyrus the Younger and Darius's chosen heir, Arsakes. Arsakes did become King Artaxerxes II, but not without having to settle this conflict. Warlords of History Podcast Merch On Sale Now! Go to HistoryOfPersia.LaunchCart.store Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/17/202237 minutes, 6 seconds
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77: The Yashts

A collection of early Zoroastrian prayers to the various Yazatas, the Yashts are some of the only surviving sources that provide a detailed window into the more polytheistic aspects of ancient Iran. As a bonus, they partially stem from myths and legends as told in the Achaemenid period. Merch On Sale Now! Go to HistoryOfPersia.LaunchCart.store Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/6/20221 hour, 43 seconds
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Summer 22 Update + History of Saqartvelo Georgia Episode

A bit of an update on why I said I was back on track and then immediately jumped off the track. History of Saqartvelo Georgia Episode: https://historyofsaqartvelo.com/alt-home/episodes/episodes-ep-21/ --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/12/20222 minutes, 43 seconds
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Review - King of the World by Matt Waters

King of the World: The Life of Cyrus the Great by Matt Waters is a new biography of the first Persian King of Kings from Oxford University Press. I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced PDF copy to review. In short, it's an excellent introduction to both the life of Cyrus and Achaemenid Studies as a field. Almost all shortcomings are more the product of the subject rather than the biographer. For more, give it a listen. Order King of the World from Amazon Listen on Audible Download for Kindle Intelligent Speech Conference 2022! Buy tickets with promo code Persia Merch On Sale Now! Go to HistoryOfPersia.LaunchCart.store Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/23/202236 minutes, 58 seconds
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76: The Greater Persepolis Area

The Achaemenid capital city at Persepolis wasn't really much of a city in the traditional sense, but that doesn't mean it was just a palace. A Persepolis Metropolitan Area stretched at least 5km out in every direction, and there have been some exciting finds there as well. We'll also look at the area surrounding the other Persian palace cities. Merch On Sale Now! Go to HistoryOfPersia.LaunchCart.store Intelligent Speech Conference 2022! Buy tickets with promo code Persia Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/9/202241 minutes, 18 seconds
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Merch Announcement! (and Satrap Coins)

Breaking News! The History of Persia Podcast now has merch, swag, gear, and other physical items to show off how much you like ancient Persia and this podcast. Plus, there's one last group of coins from the Achaemenid Empire that I want to talk about. Merch On Sale Now! Go to HistoryOfPersia.LaunchCart.store Intelligent Speech Conference 2022!Buy tickets with promo code Persia Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Patreon | Support Page | STORE Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/3/202243 minutes, 52 seconds
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75: The Education of Cyrus

Cyrus the Younger obviously graduated early, but what exactly did he learn in ancient Persian school? Hunting, fitness, soldiery, science, and religion amongst many other things in a complex noble educational system. Intelligent Speech Conference 2022! Buy tickets with promo code Persia Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/27/202240 minutes, 55 seconds
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74: The Temple of Yahweh

No, the other one. In Egypt. The best source of information on events Egypt under Darius II comes from the letters of the Jewish diaspora community in southern Egypt and their temple on the island of Elephantine. They also tell the story of a dramatic confrontation between the Jews and their Egyptian neighbors that ended in forced reconciliation. Intelligent Speech Conference 2022! Buy tickets with promo code Persia Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/20/202258 minutes, 29 seconds
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73: The Karanos

In 408 BCE, Darius II decided the Ionian War called for more drastic, teenage measures. He sent the 16 year old Prince Cyrus to rule western Anatolia as Karanos, a supreme military authority. Cyrus did everything in his power to enable his new Spartan allies' victory against Athens. Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Intelligent Speech Conference 2022! Buy tickets with promo code Persia Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/13/202234 minutes, 41 seconds
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72: The Ionian War

Despite their defeat in Sicily, the tales of Athenian demise in 413 BCE were greatly exaggerated. In 411, Athens and Sparta began to clash again and protracted tug-of-war in the Aegean even as Athens itself was seized by political upheavals. Intelligent Speech Conference 2022! Buy tickets with promo code Persia Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/6/202234 minutes, 19 seconds
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71: New Friends, Old Enemies

Darius II's reign in Anatolia saw the Persian reconquest of Ionia and the Greek cities of west Asia. This was only accomplished with the aid of a surprising ally: Sparta and the Peloponnesian League. Persepolis Reimagined by Getty.edu Intelligent Speech Conference 2022! Buy tickets with promo code Persia Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Bonus Episode: Athens Under Artaxerxes on Patreon Bonus Episode: Athenian War Under Artaxerxes on Patreon Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/28/202255 minutes, 1 second
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70: Darius Do Over, AKA Armenia II

The reign of Darius II was chaotic. It is impossible to cover everything, everywhere, all at once. So today, we're covering the interior of the empire as it was racked by civil war and rebellion for the better part of 20 years. Sign Up For The History Buffs at TheHistoryBuffs.com/HistoryOfPersia Bonus Episode: Armenia I Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/21/202241 minutes, 40 seconds
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69! Musical Thrones

After 41 years on the throne, Artaxerxes I died in December 424 BCE. Much of his family had passed away over the decades, but he probably didn't expect his only legitimate heir to follow close behind him. Nevertheless, two bastard sons saw this as their time to shine. Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/9/202230 minutes, 8 seconds
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68: The Other Gods That Are

Any discussion of Achaemenid religion is bound to be fascinating, but that discussion isn't bound to Zoroastrianism. This one's abut all the other gods worshipped in Persia itself. Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/2/202237 minutes, 45 seconds
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67: The Empire of Artaxerxes

At just over 40 years on the throne, Artaxerxes I was the second-longest reigning Achaemenid king. This is an episode for all of the little things and less detailed stories that played out in that time. From a new status quo in the west to dramatic building projects in the east, Artaxerxes was a busy guy. Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/26/202242 minutes, 17 seconds
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66: The Syrian Civil War

The story of the Megabyzid family conveniently flows from a solid recap of the story so far straight into the next major event in Achaemenid history: the very first satrap's revolt, complete with Greek mercenaries and royal family drama. Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/12/202228 minutes, 12 seconds
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65: The Peace of Callias

The treaty known as the Peace of Callias supposedly ended the second Greco-Persian War with a formal agreement between Athens and Persia. However, its very existence is the topic of intense historical debate. Despite this, hostilities did cease in 449 BCE, so something must have happened, right? Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/26/202233 minutes, 40 seconds
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64: Fight to the End

The city of Memphis spent almost five years under siege from 459-454 BCE, as the rebel Pharaoh Inaros tried to take the Egyptian capital and oust the Persian government with the aid of the Athenians. When Persian reinforcements arrived, the rebellion was swept aside with apparent ease. Inaros was captured and Athens was sent reeling, only to make one final attempt on Persian territory in Cyprus. Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/8/202236 minutes, 37 seconds
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63: The Little Pharaoh That Could(n't)

After Artaxerxes I came to power in 465 BCE, a minor rebellion broke out in western Egypt led by the would-be Pharaoh Inaros II. Inaros quickly came to a stalemate with the local satrap, but in 460 BCE the Egyptian rebel reached out to Athens for aid. The Athenians came in force, broke the stalemate, killed the satrap (and Artaxerxes' uncle), and joined Inaros as he marched on Memphis. Swords, Sorcery, and Socialism Apple | Spotify | RSS | Twitter Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/13/202234 minutes, 24 seconds
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62: Death In Quick Succession

In late 465 BCE, Xerxes I - the King of Kings - was murdered in his sleep by his own captain of the guard, Artabanus the Hyrcanian. Artabanus and a group of highly placed conspirators chose their victim's third son, Artaxerxes to be their puppet on the throne and moved to secure their coup. Unbeknownst to them, Artaxerxes was not easily manipulated. When the conspirators turned on one another, the Achaemenid Empire plunged headfirst into the age of Artaxerxes with a new round of civil wars. The Oldest Stories Website | Spotify | Apple | RSS AskHistorians Podcast Website  | Spotify | Apple | RSS In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/10/202146 minutes, 45 seconds
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Elamite Teaser

It completely slipped my mind that the next episode would be due out on Thanksgiving Day. I've got family sleeping in my office this week so that's not happening, but I didn't want to leave you completely hanging. Fortunately, there might be some pre-Persian history that catches your interest over on The Oldest Stories. The Oldest Stories Website | Spotify | Apple | RSS In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/25/202120 minutes, 7 seconds
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61: Blood on the Eurymedon

Most of the decade following the first offensive Greek campaigns against Xerxes' forces are lost to us. There are hints at great battles and rapid Athenian expansion, but almost nothing is certain until the Battle of the Eurymedon. In the mid-460s BCE, the Persian fleet had recovered enough to stage a renewed offensive, but the Athenian general Kimon had advanced warning. He commanded a fleet from Athens' Delian League and made a preemptive strike in southern Anatolia, where he destroyed the fleet and routed the Persian army. This battle at the mouth of the Eurymedon River once again changed the direction of Persia's war with Athens, effectively kicking Persian military power out of the Aegean for decades to come. History of Asia Apple | Spotify | RSS | Facebook 300: Rise of An Empire Review Part 1 Part 2 In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/10/202142 minutes, 21 seconds
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60: Given Against The Demons

The Vendidad is a strange and unique document. It's one part mythology, one part law code, and one part ritual manual. A collection of phrases and verses from a partly remembered oral tradition were composed at point A, strung together at point B, and written down at point C, all seemingly centuries apart. Dogs are great. Tortoises are not. Otters are the best. Flies are the worst. Strap in, and Do. Not. Hurt. The Water Dogs. Head to HistoryOfPersiaPodcast.com for some pictures of my sacred "house dog." 300: Rise of An Empire Review Part 1 Part 2 In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/25/202145 minutes, 20 seconds
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59: Holy War

Early in Xerxes' reign, an infamous and dramatic story of religious conflict was inscribed at Persepolis. When Xerxes became king he put down a rebellion, but in the process encountered a community dedicated to a god or gods he considered false and immoral. As consequence he destroyed their sanctuary and worshiped Ahura Mazda in their place. Support on Patreon Livius.org Avesta.org UT Austin Old Iranian Languages 300: Rise of An Empire Review Part 1 Part 2 In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/18/202143 minutes, 44 seconds
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58: Persia's First Family

As the reign of another king draw's toward a close, it's time to look at the royal family. Xerxes' household was like a microcosm of early Achaemenid history. His mother, Atossa, drew a direct connection back to Cyrus, his uncles, cousins, and siblings were woven into the political scene of his reign. Herodotus' catalog of Persian commander's is also a catalog of the Great King's family, and many of them held positions of power as Satraps across the empire. The royal family is also an opportunity to look forward, and introduce the next generation of kings, satraps, generals, and rebels. Support on Patreon 300: Rise of An Empire Review Part 1 Part 2 In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/4/202139 minutes, 49 seconds
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57: Xerxes at Home

It's time to return to the imperial heartland and tour the "city" that Xerxes' built. The foundations may have been laid by Darius, but Xerxes was the one who turned Persepolis from a construction project into a shining palace complex in the Iranian plateau. Join me on The Oldest Stories podcast starting September 8, 2021! Website | Spotify | RSS Arcadia – Support Renewable Energy Energy In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/14/202133 minutes, 53 seconds
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56: Domestic Affairs

As the war with the Greeks drags on into obscurity, it is time to investigate what was happening inside the empire under Xerxes. In the far west, most territories slipped from Persian control completely. The Mediterranean coastal region was reconfigured and given a new leadership class to carry on the war against Athens. In the royal court, Xerxes dealt with infamous court drama and intrigue, while in Babylon the daily minutia of government wore on and dealt with economic crises. Arcadia – Support Renewable Energy Energy In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/25/202149 minutes, 39 seconds
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55: Still Loud on the Western Front

After the Persian defeat at Mycale, the stories of the Greco-Persian war get less dramatic, but the war itself did not come to an end. Late 479 BCE saw the beginning of Greek offensives in Persian territory, which continued long after the Spartans pulled out of the war in 478. The third year of war between Xerxes and Athens saw the foundation of the Delian League, which could continue to lead Greek attacks on Persian cities for years to come. The History of Saqartvelo Georgia Apple | Spotify | YouTube | RSS In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/10/202138 minutes, 38 seconds
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54: Two By "Sea"

Supposedly on the same day as the Battle of Plataea, another battle was unfolding at the foot of Mount Mycale (modern Mount Dilek). The Greek fleet agreed to aid Samian rebels against Persia and sailed all the way to mainland Anatolia to fight the Persian fleet. Still recovering from Salamis, the Persians opted to turn the confrontation into a land battle, but the new general, Tigranes, and his men were overwhelmed and even more of the fleet was destroyed by Greek hands. Arcadia – Support Renewable Energy Energy In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/15/202132 minutes, 16 seconds
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53: One By Land

After a year of relative success, the Persian occupation of northern Greece received its second massive defeat. For the first time, the Hellenic League managed to field the full might of a Greek army against the occupation force commanded by Mardonius. They clashed repeatedly in the plains surrounding the small town of Plataea until their maneuvers drew both sides into a decisive and bloody confrontation. Arcadia – Support Renewable Energy Energy 300 Review In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/24/202144 minutes, 48 seconds
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Interview: Sean Manning

I sat down with Dr. Sean Manning, author of the new book: Armed Force in the Teispid-Achaemenid Empire: Past Approaches, Future Prospects to discuss the military might of the Persian Empire (and why it's so hard to find anything written about it). That includes both the academic nuances of which sources deserve primacy, and ever exciting topics of arms, armor, and tactics. Dr. Manning's research represents an invaluable resource for anyone trying to engage with the military history of Achaemenid Persia - especially when we try to disentangle it from the Greek Wars. Armed Force in the Teispid-Achaemenid Empire: Past Approaches, Future Prospects Amazon Link BookAndSword.com Recommended Articles: > A “Primitive” Battle in Afghanistan > Gadal-iama, English Translation PhD Dissertation via the University of Innsbruck Audible Free Trial The Scythians: Nomad Warriors of the Steppe by Barry Cunliffe 300 Review In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/10/20211 hour, 2 minutes, 55 seconds
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52: The Adventure Continues

At the end of 480 BCE, there was a lull in the conflict between the Greeks and Persians, but not a stop. The Peloponnesians went home. The Athenians raided the Aegean. Xerxes took most of his troops back to Lydia while Mardonius stayed in Greece, and Artabazos lead a Persian army back from Lydia to Thrace. All of them had their own adventures along the way. Audible Free Trial The Shahnameh: The Epic of Persian Kings 300 Review In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/24/202143 minutes, 57 seconds
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51: Defeat from the Jaws of Victory

September 480 BCE marked the high point for the Persian army in Greece. Athens was the smoldering campfire at the heart of the Persian army's camp. The Greek army had retreated all the way to Corinth and their fleet was in limbo with the Athenian refugees on Salamis. After some deliberation, Xerxes sent his navy to clear out the Greek ships only for the land and sea themselves to turn against the Great King. Pilgrim's Digest Apple | Spotify | Podcast Addict | RSS 300 Review In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/8/202144 minutes, 14 seconds
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Interview: Uzume Wijnsma

I sat down with an interview with Uzume Wijnsma, a researcher and PhD candidate at the University of Leiden, whose research has proved invaluable to the podcast on a few occasions. Her research focuses on Egyptian and Babylonian resistance to Achaemenid rule, and she is part of the Persia & Babylonia project at Leiden. Persia and Babylonia Prosobab: Prosopography of Babylonia Arcadia – Support Renewable Energy Energy 300 Review In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/21/202148 minutes, 31 seconds
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50! Ask Me Anything

Thank you all so much! The AMA Episode was a great success and I look forward to the next 50 episodes of the History of Persia. This episode has everything: the ancient world in color, beard fashion, video games, book reviews, time travel, and of course me trying to piece together something to say about provinces we don't actually know much about. Links below in order of appearance: Audible Trial Great Courses: The Persian Empire Literature and History Podcast History of Iran Podcast Khodad Rezakhani @sasanianshah Top Podcasts: The History of Byzantium The Oldest Stories The Hellenistic Age Podcast The History of English The Timur Podcast History in the Bible The Vacation Bible School Podcast Behind the Bastards The Pirate History Podcast History of Aoteroa New Zealand Words For Granted The Heroic Legend of Arslan Creation by Gore Vidal Audio Book The Ancient World Podcast Audacity audio editor Holiday Special 2019 Apadana Treasury Relief Persepolis in Color The War of the Three Gods by Peter Crawford Sasanian Persia by Touraj Daryaee Reign of Arrows: The Rise of the Parthian Empire by Nikolaus Overtoom ReOrienting the Sasanians by Khodad Rezakhani Decline and Fall of the Sasanian Empire by Parvaneh Pourshariati Interview with Michael Bonner Bonus 13: Why is Persia Under-Emphasized Original AskHistorians Question Patreon | Support Twitter | Facebook | Insta --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/7/20211 hour, 49 minutes, 31 seconds
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Purim: Holiday Special 2021

It's that somewhat random time of year again, where I set aside a bit of time to celebrate a holiday that intersects with our narrative. This year that means Purim, the Jewish celebration of the Book of Esther. Esther tells the story of a Jewish woman turned Achaemenid queen in the court of Ahasuerus (maybe Xerxes, maybe an Artaxerxes, probably a bit of both). Esther and her cousin Mordecai have to foil the genocidal plans of the King's vizier Haman to save their people, and the result is today's festivities. 300 Review In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/25/202139 minutes, 36 seconds
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Episode 49: Breaking Through

Late in the summer of 480 BCE, the Persian invasion force under King Xerxes came to blows with the Greek Allies for the first time. The famous twin battles at Thermopylae and Artemisium played out surrounded by a series of smaller sacks and skirmishes. After three days of fighting, the Greek attempt to block the Persians in narrow passes failed and the Persian army pushed south, conquering Phocis, Boeotia, and ultimately: Attica and Athens. By the end of September 480, Xerxes nominally controlled all of Greece north of the Peloponnese.   300 Review In The Words of Zarathustra Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram Casting Through Ancient Greece --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/17/202141 minutes, 41 seconds
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Episode 48: What is your profession?

Before launching into the actual warfare between the Persian Empire and Greek city states, it's worth examining how the Greeks prepared for war. Athens prepared by building a navy, everyone prepared by planning to deploy their armies, and we'll explore the whole history of the famous "300" Spartans. Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram History of Africa Podcast Apple | RSS Casting Through Ancient Greece Spartan History Podcast --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/2/202137 minutes, 17 seconds
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Announcement 2: Darics

Season's Greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Shab-e Yalda Mubarak, or a pleasant solstice festival of your choice. This is not a holiday episode, but a fundraising announcement to tell you about some new features that will appear on the podcast, HistoryOfPersiaPodcast.com, and Patreon going into 2021. Just like last time, I hate to just ask for money, so I've included a mini-episode about Persian coinage. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/26/202027 minutes, 26 seconds
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Episode 47: Preparing the Way

From 484-481 BCE, Xerxes directed his subjects to prepare for war in Greece. This didn't just mean assembling soldiers and ships, but also preparing the infrastructure of the western empire to receive one of the largest armies ever assembled. 200,000 soldiers from across the Persian empire converged on the Hellespont in the spring of 480 and began the march to Hellas. Patreon Casting Through Ancient Greece iTunes | Spotify | RSS | Website Catalog of Nations from Herodotus --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/20/202046 minutes, 21 seconds
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Episode 46: The Persian Emperor

In 486 BCE, Darius the Great died while Egypt was in revolt. Over the following years, Xerxes put his empire back in order. First in Egypt, then twice in Babylon, the new king defeated rebel kings. The traditional nobility of the two most ancient and prestigious satrapies in the empire were punished, and Xerxes asserted himself as the King of Kings. Patreon | Support Page | One-time Contribution Ad: Joyful.gifts --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/7/202037 minutes, 30 seconds
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Episode 45: Xerxes Porphyrogennetos

In 486 BCE, Darius the Great died and passed the Persian Empire on to his son, Xerxes. With plans to invade Greece in development, and Egypt in open revolt, the Achaemenid house had to pause and deal with the succession. Darius became the first king entombed at Naqsh e Rostam while Xerxes competed with his elder half-brother for power. Patreon | Lyceum | Support Page | One-time Contribution --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/10/202040 minutes, 19 seconds
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Episode 44: Also Sprach Zarathustra

This is the second part of the two-part discussion on the life and times of Zoroaster. This time, I discuss the Zoroastrian conception of reality and how it is portrayed in the Gathas as well as the legacy of Zarathustra in Zoroastrianism, Iran, and Europe. Zoroastrianism: An Introduction by Jenny Rose Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/24/202038 minutes, 32 seconds
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Episode 43: Thus Spoke Zarathustra

By audience demand, we're headed back in time. Before wrapping up the reign of Darius, it's time to look back to the bronze age and talk about Zarathustra Spitama, the prophet more often known in the west as Zoroaster. This is the first of a two part series on the life and teachings of Zoroaster, as presented in the Gathas - 5 hymns to Ahura Mazda believed to be composed by Zoroaster himself. Patreon | Support Page Twitter | Facebook | Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/20/202049 minutes, 39 seconds
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Episode 42: Darius the Shopkeeper

Darius the Great is one of Persia's most infamous kings for many reasons. An illegitimate heir who reunified the empire. The king of the first war with Greece. Conqueror of territory at the far reaches of Persian control. He was many things. He was also a reformer and an administrator who oversaw the implementation of new systems of taxation, record keeping, and political organization. Those reforms formed the basis of Persian governance for centuries to come, and may be his longest lasting legacy. Conquerors Podcast Website | Spotify | Apple | RSS Patreon Support Page --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/22/202041 minutes, 17 seconds
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Episode 41: The Greatest

To round out our series on Darius' royal family, it's only fair to talk about the men of the family. After all, like it or not, the narrative will follow them going forward. Grandpa Arsames, the fascinating Hystaspes, and all of Darius' brothers, sons, and cousins get their own time in the spotlight. Then, it's time to prepare for the competition to become the Greatest. HistoryOfPersiaPodcast.com Patreon Support Page Audible Free Trial Henrietta and Eleanor Ad: Audible --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/23/202033 minutes, 6 seconds
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Episode 40: Heiresses of the Empire

There were many Duksis (royal women) in Darius' household, and there would be many more in future generations of the Achaemenid family, but three women in particular standout above the rest. Most famously we know of Atossa, daughter of Cyrus and mother of Xerxes, from our Greek sources. Thanks to the documents of the Persepolis Fortification Archive we also know about the remarkable wealth and influence of Artystone and Irdabama as Persian women in the early 5th century BCE. Patreon Support Page --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/13/202045 minutes, 10 seconds
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Episode 39: Rise of Achaemeneis

Our sources for Achaemenid history are clearly biased towards the stories of men in the ancient world, but we actually know a lot about Achaemenid women. To fully understand the whole royal family, it's time to get a better understanding of the role Royal Women - the Duksish - played in Persian society. Patreon Support Page --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/10/202048 minutes, 34 seconds
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Episode 38: The Last Battle

Nearly a decade after Aristagoras first went into revolt, and longer since the Athenians had reneged on their offerings of earth and water, the Persian Army came to take Darius' revenge on Athens. For the first time, a Persian army landed on the Greek mainland. They made their camp on an unremarkable open plain that would soon be seared into Greek history forever: Marathon. Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/18/202057 minutes, 40 seconds
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Episode 37: Greece Awakens

Even once the Ionian cities themselves were defeated, the consequences of their Revolt were ongoing. In 492 BCE, a new general, Mardonius, took to the field to settle matters in the Balkans. Two years later, the Persians turned their sites on Athens and Eretria in retribution for the aid they sent to the Ionians. In 490, Artaphernes and Datis launched the first Persian invasion of mainland Greece. Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/3/202035 minutes, 40 seconds
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Episode 36: Return of the Tyrannoi

Even with Miletus defeated, the other rebel cities in shambles, Cyprus under control, and their armies victorious, the Persians had not heard the last of Ionian resistance. While the Greek rebels were fighting against the Persian Empire, the deposed tyrant Histiaeus was making plans to try and carve out a new niche for himself in Persian territory. Patreon Support Page Audible Trial Ad: Audible --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/22/202025 minutes, 36 seconds
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Episode 35: The Empire Strikes Back

It is a dark time for the Ionian Revolt. Although Sardis has been destroyed, Persian troops have driven the Rebel forces from Aeolis and pursued them across Anatolia. Facing the renewed Persian Fleet, a group of Greek cities led by Dionysius of Phocaea has established a new plan on the nearby island of Lade. The Persian satrap Artaphernes, ready to end this rebellion, has dispatched the army and the navy to retake Miletus.... Patreon Audible Free Trial Ad: Audible --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/4/202034 minutes, 50 seconds
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Episode 34: A New Fleet

While three Persian land armies were spreading out over western Anatolia to contain and defeat the Ionian Greek rebels and their allies, a fourth army was headed to the island of Cyprus. The Cypriot King of Salamis, Onesilos had usurped his brother's throne and incited his neighbors to rebellion. In our first "Battle of Salamis" the Persians retake the strange and strategic island. Patreon Support Page --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/22/202030 minutes, 39 seconds
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Interview 1: Dr. Michael Bonner

This time I have something a little different. In place of a regular narrative episode this week, I have my recent interview with Dr. Michael Bonner, author of the new book: The Last Empire of Iran. This jumps far ahead of our current point in the narrative story, all the way to the Sassanid Persian Empire of the 4th-8th centuries CE. Dr. Bonner and I discussed the origins, sources, conflicts, and fall of Iran's last pre-Islamic dynasty. The Last Empire of Iran by Michael Bonner Patreon Support Page --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/11/20201 hour, 6 minutes, 44 seconds
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Episode 33: Revenge of the Persians

After the shocking attack on Sardis, many more Greek cities joined the Ionian Revolt, despite Persian victory at Ephesus. In 497 BCE, three land campaigns were launched by three Persian generals: Daurises, Hymaies, and Otanes. After a series of lightning victories in early 497, the campaigns began set in to prolonged fighting. Two of the Persian generals were dead by 496, but the Ionians were still losing. Fresh revolts in the Troad and Caria were dealt serious defeats, and Aristagoras of Miletus, once the ringleader of the Ionians, fled into exile. Timur Podcast Apple | Spotify | Stitcher |  RSS Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/24/202025 minutes, 40 seconds
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Episode 32: Begun, the Greek Wars Have

To prepare ourselves for their role in the coming wars between Persian the Greek city states, I'm explaining the history and politics of Archaic Athens, from their first adoption of oligarchy rather than monarchy, down through the adoption of democracy, the Peisistratid tyrants, and the final restoration of democracy by Cleisthenes. At the end of that long process, the Athenians and their Eretrian allies joined forces with the Ionian Greek cities of Anatolia in their revolt against the Persian Empire. In 498 BCE, the Greek army set out from Ephesus in a lightning raid to attack, and ultimately destroy, the Lydian capital at Sardis.  Patreon Casting Through Ancient Greece Ancient Persia: A Concise History of the Achaemenid Empire by Matt Waters --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/10/202035 minutes, 26 seconds
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Episode 31: The Naxos Incident

At the end of the 6th century BCE, a group of exiled aristocrats from the island of Naxos inadvertently set off a chain of events that would eventually lead to such famous battles as Marathon, Thermopylae, and Salamis. They asked the Milesian Tyrant, Aristagoras, to help them retake their home island after being kicked out. Aristagoras went to the Satrap of Lydia, who in turn asked Darius the Great. When Darius gave the go ahead, a Persian fleet invaded, and subsequently retreated from Naxos. Out of money and out of options Aristagoras and the rest of the Ionian Greeks in western Anatolia began hatching a plan to launch an Ionian Revolt against the Persian Empire. Audible Patreon Support Page Ad: Audbile --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/27/202033 minutes, 39 seconds
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Achaemenid Nowruz! 2020 Holiday Special

To celebrate the Persian New Year's festival of Nowruz, check out the 2nd Sort-of Annual Holiday Special, exploring the New Year's celebrations of the Achaemenid Empire. Called Navasarda at that time, many of the traditions associated with the modern holiday were still developing during the Achaemenid period. The origins and original purpose of the holiday season are hazy and changed and developed as Iranian society evolved over centuries. Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/20/202028 minutes, 53 seconds
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Episode 30: Persia City

This time it's just one episode for a different kind of tour. Explore the early phases of construction at Susa and Persepolis under Darius the Great. The grand Apadana audience halls with their splendid columns. The lavishly decorated palaces built to house Darius throughout the year. The famous works of art and architecture that define the middle Achaemenid period are featured in this episode. Patreon! Support Page! Inscribed Door Handle Avesta.org Old Persian translations --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/7/202036 minutes, 54 seconds
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Episode 29: The Grand Tour, Part 4

It's the final stage of the tour! Our trip through the Persian Empire wraps up with three central provinces of the empire, located in western Iran. This time it's Susiana, Media, and Parsa itself. We'll traverse everything from rundown ancient kingdoms, hostile mountain tribes, royal capitals, and one of the wonders of the ancient world. For some of them, we won't even have to leave the same city. These are the provinces that ruled and defined the Achaemenid Persian Empire.  Patreon --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/14/202031 minutes, 8 seconds
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Episode 28: The Grand Tour, Part 3

The tour of the Persian Empire continues. This time I'm going through the empire within the empire to dissect Assyria and Babylonia. Within these two satrapies, there were many important administrative districts and geographic divisions including Judea, Palestine, Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Akkad in addition to Assyria and Babylon themselves. With hindsight's 20/20 this was obviously one the most important parts of the empire, and we'll go through it in detail.  Patreon Oldest Stories Website | Spotify |Google | Anchor | RSS --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/14/202041 minutes, 22 seconds
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Happy Birthday

Today is the one year anniversary of launching the History of Persia podcast. Thank you all so much for your support and interest this past year! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
2/12/20208 minutes, 59 seconds
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Episode 27: The Grand Tour, Part 2

The tour of the Persian Empire continues, this time covering the western Satrapies. I'm exploring the details and histories of the Persian provinces starting with Armenia and moving counter clockwise, through Anatolia and Europe, over the Mediterranean, North Africa, Arabia, and Assyria. Based on the maps of Ian Mladjov.  Patreon Support Page  Audible Trial Casting Through Ancient Greece The History of Egypt podcast Ad: Audible --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/30/202041 minutes, 43 seconds
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Episode 26: The Grand Tour, Part 1

With the Persian Empire at its greatest ever extent, it's time to start a tour of the empire. We're travelling east, out of Parsa, and following the excellent maps of Ian Mladjov counter-clockwise through the eastern provinces. From Karmana to India, to the steppe to Parthia and everywhere in between, to examine the little bit of information we have about the Persian east. Patreon Support Page  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
1/17/202056 minutes, 19 seconds
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Holiday Special 2019

Happy Holidays Everyone! In place of a regular episode this week, we have the first annual History of Persia Holiday Special. Regardless of what holidays you're celebrating, or not, I have a surprise topic to cover by audience request this week. Please enjoy! Patreon Interesting topic? Check out Anthrochef's History of Food. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/25/201923 minutes, 30 seconds
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Episode 25: Behistun

It's finally time to talk about the famous Behistun Inscription, commissioned by Darius to commemorate his victories over "Gaumata" and the rebel kings he faced from 522 - 518 BCE. It is part propaganda, part epic, part origin story, and part religious creed, declaring Darius' position over his hard-won empire. I go through the inscription step by step and give some of the history of the site beyond Darius.  Patreon Link Support Page Behistun Text --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
12/13/201933 minutes, 58 seconds
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Episode 24: Darius the Great

With most of the Persian Empire firmly under his control in 519 BCE, Darius the Great set off to earn that title by conquering surrounding territories and spreading Achaemenid territory to its greatest ever extent. He pushed the boundaries of the known world and established an empire that stretched that spanned nearly 4,000 miles from North Africa to the Indus River Valley. Patreon Link --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/26/201930 minutes, 59 seconds
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Episode 23: The Lyin' Kings

Picking right back up in the late summer of 521 BCE, I'm talking about the rest of the rebellions against Darius. That's the last three campaigns against the Liar Kings from the Behistun Inscription, the strangely absent rebellion in Egypt, and the other rebels that  were excluded from the famous monument before concluding with personal betrayal for the new King of Kings. Patreon Link The Hellenistic Age: - Website - iTunes - Spotify - SoundCloud --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
11/12/201929 minutes, 48 seconds
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Episode 22: Putting Out Fires

No sooner was Bardiya dead, than the newly minted King Darius had to turn his attention on rebellious subjects. One satrapy after the next went into revolt at the end of 522 BCE, and Darius spent most of his first year on the throne directing his armies from place to place to try and hold the empire together. This time, I'm talking about Darius, the calendar, and the rebellious liar kings who sundered the Persian Empire. Patreon Link Audible Link Ad: Audible --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/30/201941 minutes, 23 seconds
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Episode 21: The Faith of the Magi

After all that business with Gaumata that Magos, I figured we had time to keep talking about magi. This episode explores the religious developments and beliefs in Persia during the Achaemenid period. I'm focusing on Zoroastrianism, but also discussing how naming a religion like that for the ancient Persians is harder than it might seem. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/15/201940 minutes, 1 second
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Episode 20: The Forgotten King

522 BCE was a crazy year for the Persian Empire. That was the year that Bardiya - or maybe Gaumata - seized power. He overturned his brother and ruled the empire to try and save it. He halted rebellion and made peace with the nobility. However, nobody can usurp the throne or be a reformer without making a few enemies, and Darius became a lethal enemy to Bardiya. Audible Link Ad: Audible --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
10/2/201924 minutes, 27 seconds
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Episode 19: Three Kings and The Magi

In 522 BCE, the Persian Empire sat on the edge of Chaos. Between March and September of that year, 3 men sat on the Persian throne, and according to the official royal history one of those kings was actually impersonated by a couple of magi. This episode is the first to really question who the Magi were. This episode also discusses the many theories of what really happened that year.   Patreon Support Audible Link Aspects of History and Epic in Ancient Iran: From Gaumāta to Wahnām Ad: Audible --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/17/201946 minutes, 20 seconds
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Episode 18: The Tyrant and The Kings

The story of Polykrates, the Tyrant of Samos, intersects repeatedly with the history of the Persian empire during his life. From his rise to power in the vacuum left when Miletus was conquered, to his alliance with Egypt against the Persians, and finally to his death on the orders of a Satrap. His story feeds directly into the history around Oroites, the Satrap of Sparda (the kingdom formerly known as Lydia). Oroites tried to seize some power for himself in events that prepare our narrative for the chaotic years following Cambyses' death. Patreon Support Page --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
9/3/201929 minutes, 18 seconds
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Announcement 01: Croeseids

Hello everyone! I've got some announcements, updates, and news about the show for you, and as a little bonus for listening to my fundraising spiel, there's a mini-episode on the history of the world's first coinage at the end. Thank you everybody! Patreon Support Page Twitter Facebook Instagram --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/28/201923 minutes
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Episode 17: The Mad King

The story of Cambyses isn't just the conquest of Egypt, but also the dark side of it. According to Herodotus Cambyses was a mad king, driven to paranoia and acts of terrible violence while he was Egypt. The Greek Historian, as well as the Behistun Inscription, tell how Cambyses II murdered his family members and drove his own empire into open revolt. This episode describes the Persian tragedy of the King of King's fall into madness.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/20/201926 minutes, 54 seconds
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Episode 16: Pharaoh Cambyses

In 525 BCE, the Persian army crossed into Egypt, in what seems to have been the culmination of years of antagonism between the the new empire and the last great kingdom of the Near East. To accomplish his task, the new King of Kings, Cambyses, mustered all his resources. He assembled a huge land army, constructed Persia's first navy, and formed alliances from the Greek islands in the Aegean to tribal kings in Arabia. Over the following three years, he established and consolidated Persian rule over the kingdom of the two lands, bringing one of the oldest civilizations in the world under Persian domination. Archaeologists May Have Found 2,500-year-old Persian Military Base in Northern Israel The History of Egypt Podcast Apple Spotify --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
8/6/201940 minutes, 25 seconds
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Episode 15: The Army That Conquered The World

In preperation for Cambyses' invasion of Egypt, we're covering the early Persian armies. These are the armies that helped Cyrus the Great conquer the known world. They started as troops levied from Persia and Media, but grew to incorporate every facet of the empire and built on the history of Near Eastern warfare to form a disciplined and organized system. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/23/201930 minutes, 17 seconds
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Episode 14: Princes, Princesses, Kings, and Queens

The narrative lurches forward again with a discussion of the new cast, so to speak. Meet Cambyses, Atossa, Bardiya, Artystone, and Roxane, the children of Cyrus the Great, and the new royal family of the Persian Empire. This time I'm breaking down marriage customs, inheritance rights, and political training. Or to put that another way: incest, dividing the empire, and the next round of political power plays. Cyrus the Great is gone, and his empire would never be quite the same again.  r/HistoryPodcasts History Podcasts Discord --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
7/9/201930 minutes, 4 seconds
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Episode 13: Kingship 101

 What did it mean to be an early king of Persia? They were divine, but not quite. Warriors and economists. The king of Persia, but also Babylon, Egypt, and many other lands. Legitimacy came in many forms, and this episode explores them.   --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/26/201930 minutes, 42 seconds
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Episode 12: Iranian Religion

 It's time to introduce religion into the mix, starting with the origins and background of ancient Iranian traditions in general, and then narrowing in on the most famous and significant: Zoroastrianism. This episode explores the traditions and gods of the Indo-European steppe peoples as they migrated and became the Iranians, Persians and Medes included. I'll also discuss the reforms and doctrines of the ancient prophet Zoroaster who established a religion centered around a single supreme god, Ahura Mazda.   --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
6/11/201942 minutes, 8 seconds
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Episode 11: King of Kings

Returning to the narrative, it's time to see what Cyrus got up to in the final decade of his rule, after conquering Babylon. He traveled around his empire, between a collection of important capital cities, founded cities, and constructed monuments. He also conquered. This episode pushes the narrative eastward into the provinces of Iran, Afghanistan, and Central Asia and explores some of the events that happened there. Then it's time to finish the story of Cyrus the Great, with one last campaign on the northeastern frontier.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/28/201928 minutes, 32 seconds
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Episode 10: Governing An Empire

 What exactly is a Satrap? Is there such a thing as a Satrapy? How did all of these people manage to talk to one another? All this, and more as the History of Persia celebrates double-digits with a break down of how the Persian Empire was actually organized and managed during the Teispid Period.   --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
5/14/201931 minutes, 53 seconds
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Episode 9: Who Are You Again?

This time we're taking a break from the narrative for a bit. Now that this show has all of Cyrus's major conquests under its belt, its probably worth getting a sense of what these Persians were actually like. This episode covers art, architecture, clothing, and the major cultural influences of the early Persian period, under the Teispid kings. Let's see what the world around Cyrus the Great might have looked like. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/30/201930 minutes, 24 seconds
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Episode 8: Fill in the Titles

Cyrus the Great has finally completed his conquests in our narrative. I break down the Cyrus Cylinder, the official record of what he did next, one section at a time. In this episode, I shamelessly take advantage of current events and link Persian history to both Easter and Game of Thrones. Listen and explorer official Persian propaganda, an expanding royal family, the historic and religious legacy of Cyrus, and all the titles of the Persian King.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/16/201942 minutes, 34 seconds
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Episode 7: The Writing on the Wall

In Babylon, October of 539 BCE began in the 17th year of the reign of Nabonidus, but it ended in the 1st year of Cyrus. In this episode Cyrus the Great carries out his final campaign against Babylon. Our sources tell us that after a few short battles, the greatest city of the ancient world through open its gates and the Persians won the day. Of course, ancient history is never quite that clean. This time, we explore Cyrus's greatest conquest, and the troubled, but fascinating, reign of Babylon's last king. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
4/9/201943 minutes, 47 seconds
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Episode 6: Introducing Ionia

Cyrus's generals take the reins for a bit and the Persian conquerors face their most grueling task yet: subduing the Ionian Greek city states. Persia's first interaction with the Greek speaking world was a drawn out, and possibly brutal conquest of the western coasts of Anatolia, but when they were done the empire was larger, more secure, and ready to keep pushing its boundaries south into the wealthy territory of Babylon.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/26/201939 minutes, 41 seconds
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Episode 5: Crossing the Halys

Just as Cyrus the Great, now officially the King of Persia, was consolidating his hold over the recently conquered Median Empire, a new war started. This time, the Persians were facing Lydia, the fabulously wealthy Anatolian kingdom ruled by King Croesus. This war really had it all. Deceptive strategies, surprising alliances, strange tactics, and wildly confused ancient sources to tell the story, but in the end it was just one achievement for Cyrus.  --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/history-of-perisa/supportSupport this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-of-persia/exclusive-contentAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
3/12/201937 minutes, 39 seconds