History of Persia

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcir...

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 hi...

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brand...

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.com Use promo code PERSIA Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  ST...

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  STORE   Twitter  | ...

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  STORE   Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  S...

Find the full episode at Patreon.com/HistoryOfPersia Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  STORE   Twitter  | ...

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  STORE   Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Pr...

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  STORE   Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redc...

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.com Patreon  |  Support Page  |  STORE   Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https:...

Patron Exclusive Bonus Episode on the storytelling of Ctesias Patreon.com/HistoryOfPersia Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-O...

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands...

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt...

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

EPISODE 100! To celebrate, I'm ranking the top 10 Achaemenid kings. You won't believe number 2! Patreon  |  Support Page  |  STORE   Twitter  |  Facebook  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https:/...

The epic tale of the greatest wife guy of antiquity. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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  |  Instagram Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com...