Emphasis/Category: Inter-Area Studies, Global Middle East
This course surveys the history of the ancient Persian Empire from 550-330 BCE, from the empire’s founding by Cyrus II to the death of the last Achaemenid Persian king, Darius III. Much of what we know about the Persian Empire comes from what ancient Greek authors, such as the historians Herodotus andXenophon, the tragedian Aeschylus, and the biographer Plutarch, had to say about it; when relying on the work of these authors, we are forced to some extent to view the Persians and their empire through a Greek lens. And yet, whenever possible in this course, we will also consider what the ancient Persians themselves thought about their empire. Thus, the readings for the course will not only be Greek literary sources, but also Persian written and visual sources, including inscriptions, seals, coins, and archaeological sites and monuments.
Days: TU TH  02:00-03:20 PM