In this episode, we’ll explore the critical decade between the Greek victory at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC and Xerxes’ invasion of Greece in 480 BC—a period that shaped the course of the Greco-Persian Wars. Following their defeat at Marathon, the Persians, under King Darius I, began preparing for a renewed campaign, but internal challenges, including rebellions and Darius’ death in 486 BC, delayed their plans.

With the ascension of Xerxes I, the Persian Empire moved decisively. Xerxes crushed revolts in Egypt and Babylonia and set his sights on Greece, organizing one of the largest invasion forces in ancient history to fulfill his father’s uncompleted ambitions of conquest.

Meanwhile, growing awareness of the Persian threat pushed some Greek city-states toward greater unity. Despite internal rivalries, alliances began to form, with Athens and Sparta taking the lead in preparing for the storm to come. But would this fledgling cooperation be enough to stand against Xerxes’ colossal forces?

Let's find out.

Contents:

00:00  Recap and Introduction
01:07 Darius' Legacy
04:07 Xerxes becomes King
06:38 The Great Debate: Mardonius
15:47 The Great Debate: Artabanus
19:45 On to War!
27:15 The Grand Army of Xerxes 
35:07 Gelon of Sicily and the Search for Allies
45:52 Thank You and Patrons

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In the last episode of this series, we covered the rise of the Achaemenid Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great and its expansion into Anatolia and the eastern Aegean, including the predominantly Greek-speaking region of Ionia.  Though much of Ionia prospered under their new overlords, in 499 BC, the Ionians revolted with their help of their allies, including the city-states of Athens and Eritrea.  By 493 BC, what become known as the Ionian Revolt had been crushed, and order restored to the western fringes of the Persian Empire.  However, the empire’s king, Darius I, vowed to punish Athens and Eretria for their involvement in the uprising. The Great King of Persia sent several of his most trusted commanders to subdue both city-states and any others who opposed him, resulting in the first major armed encounter in Europe between the Greeks and Persians on the plains of Marathon.

Drawing on historical sources and the latest archaeological research, this series will explore everything from the causes of the conflict to its key figures, the various phases of leading up to this epic encounter and its aftermath. 

Contents:

00:00  Recap and Introduction
01:45 The Northern Aegean Campaigns of Mardonius
05:10 Looking to the West
08:18 Athens and Eretria
09:49 How many Men and Ships?
14:30 Island Hopping Around the Aegean
16:33 Euboea and Eretria 
19:23 Onward to Athens
22:21 Decisions
27:07 War it is! 
29:33 The Battle of Marathon
35:44 Counting the Dead
38:57 If not by Land, then by Sea!
40:00 Aftermath of Marathon
44:41 Thank You and Patrons

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The great conflict that we know today as the Greco-Persian Wars between a few independent city-states of ancient Greece and mighty Achaemenid Persian Empire is, in my opinion, one of the most fascinating and consequential in all of history.  More than just battles for territory and glory - they were clashes of culture, ideology, and power between East and West. The war saw legendary figures such as Leonides, The Great King Xerxes, Themistocles, Darius the Great, Miltiades, Mardonius, Artemisia, Kleomenes, and countless others in action.  Since most accounts of the conflict available to us come from Greek and Roman historians and writers of antiquity such as Herodotus, Plutarch, Diodorus Siculus, Aeschylus, the traveler Pausanias, Justin and others, our modern perspective is often shaped by their portrayal of a struggle between the freedom-loving Greeks and the tyrannical rulers of Achaemenid Persia—a narrative further popularized by films like 300.  However, as we will explore, the reality was far more complex. 

Drawing on historical sources and the latest archaeological research, this series will explore everything from the causes of the conflict to its key figures, the various phases of the war, and its aftermath.

This is the first of a series of 5 or 6 podcasts that will be released over the next few months.  Stay tuned for future episodes. 

Contents:

00:00  Rise of Cyrus the Great and the Persian Achaemenid Empire
05:27 Ionians and Greeks in the Persian Empire
14:29 A bit about Herodotus
16:49 Trouble in Athens
23:52 Earth and Water 
28:04 Sparta (almost) Attacks!
36:25 Aristagoras' Plan
44:21 The Ionian Revolt
49:10 The Battle of Lade
50:09 Aftermath
57:10 Thank You and Patrons

Special thanks to Farya Faraji for the following musical compositions featured throughout the program: 

"Spantodhata's Warning"
"To Phrygia"
"In Pythagoras' Mind"
"The Apadana's Shadows"
"Immortals"
"Mater"
"In Sappho's Mind"
"Spring in Persepolis"
"Aíma"
"Apranik's Charge"
"March of Achaemenes"
"Hyrcanian Lullaby"

Check out more of his work that spans across many countries, cultures and time periods: 
https://www.youtube.com/@faryafaraji

You can also find them on the albums:

*Songs of Old Iran Vols. I & II*
*Voices of the Ancients Vols. I & II* 

Additional Music:

Epidemic Sound

"Genie's Bane"
"Interstate 895"
"One with the Tribe"
"Pepper Seeds"
"Keeping up with the Tarahumaras"
"Blood in Water"
"The Golden Spiral"
"The Sewers"
"Deer Hunt"
"Zero Remorse"

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This is the episode that several of you have requested – a one stop shop on the history of ancient Canaan and its people, the Canaanites.  In this program we’ll look at the history of this region and how it developed from the Bronze Age, Canaan’s relationship with Egypt and other parts of the world, and various Canaanite kingdoms such Moab, Edom, Ammon, Israel and Judah, as well as the Phoenician cities of Sidon, Tyre and Byblos.  If you want a general history of ancient Canaan and the Canaanite people, then this program is for you. 

Contents:

00:00 Introduction to Canaan
01:45 Early Bronze Age History of Canaan
06:40 Canaan, Egypt, Mitanni and the Hittites
22:23 Life in Canaan during the Bronze Age
25:53 Canaan and the Bronze Age Collapse
32:39 Canaanite Religion
34:51 Moab
37:15 Edom
39:27 Ammon
41:05 Israel and Judah
49:21 Sidon
1:00:36 Tyre
1:14:30 Byblos
1:26:49 Thank You and Patrons

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In this video we'll take a look at the pivotal period of Greek history known as the Archaic Period. It's this time frame that gave rise to the polis, hoplite warfare, increased colonization around the coasts of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, oligarchies, tyrannies and lot of other really interesting aspects of life in the Greek-speaking world from 750-500 BC. 

Contents:

00:00 Introduction and Context
02:07 A Hard Life for Many 
07:27 The Polis
11:00 Oligarchies
16:35 Hoplite Warfare
20:57 Greek Society during the Archaic Period
24:55 Greek Colonization of the Mediterranean and Black Seas
30:38 Tyrants
33:58 A New Threat
35:12 Thank You and Patrons

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The Greek Dark Age, spanning roughly from 1100 to 750 BC, marks a mysterious chapter in the history of ancient Greece. Characterized by a sharp decrease in population, the abandonment of the once might Mycenaean palatial centers, disruption of trade networks, the loss of literacy and a steep decline in artistic endeavors, this time period was generally one of economic hardship and political fragmentation. However, amidst the darkness there were pockets of prosperity and social changes that eventually allowed for the rise of powerful Greek city-states and the dawn of Archaic Greek civilization.

Contents:

00:00 Introduction and Context
02:50 What was the Greek Dark Age
08:36 Greece enters the Iron Age
09:59 Greece starts to Recover
11:15 Chiefs and Chiefdoms
15:51 The Geometric Period
17:35 The Greek Alphabet
18:33 Panhellenism
21:53 Thank You and Patrons

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In this program we'll take a look at the illustrious life of the great Persian King of Kings, Darius I, also known as Darius the Great.  Regarded by many as the most powerful ruler of the Achaemenid Dynasty of ancient Iran, Darius I is also amongst its most controversial.  We'll dive deeper into the life of great king, the contentious debate about his rise to power, and ultimately examine the words of Darius himself about his these and other aspects of his life and beliefs.

Contents:

00:00  Introduction and Historical Context
03:37  Early Life of Darius
05:14  Rise to Power as told in the Behistun Inscription
16:55  Lineage and Family of Darius
18:10  Rebellions and Troubles of 522 BC
20:43  Architect of an Empire: Satrapies, Reforms, Roads and Canals
25:19  Darius the Builder: Susa and Persepolis
33:50  Expansion of the Achaemenid Empire
35:25  The Ionian Revolt
37:17  Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon
43:21  Thank You and Patrons

Special thanks to Farya Faraji for the music:

"Achaemenes"
"Shirin and Khosrow"
"The Riding Angaros"
"Memory of Cyrus"
"Spantodhata's Warning"
"The Apadana's Shadow"
"Battle of Cunaxa"
"Hyrcanian Lullaby"
"Immortals"
"Apranik's Charge"
"March of Achaemenes"

Check out more of his work that spans across many countries, cultures and time periods:
https://www.youtube.com/@faryafaraji

Follow History with Cy:

YouTube Channel
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Website 

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This is the episode that many of your have been waiting for - a comprehensive, in-depth look at the Akkadian Empire from just before it was created to its mysterious end.  Founded by Sargon of Akkad and expanded by his descendants Rimush, Manishtushu and Naram-Sin, the Akkadian Empire was the first hegemonic state and superpower of the early Bronze Age.  This program will examine Akkad's beginning, it's rise and expansion to the far corners of the known world, its economy, administration, collapse and legacy.  

Contents:

00:00 Introduction: The World Before Sargon of Akkad
04:37 Lugalzagesi  
09:33 The Early Life and Legends of Sargon of Akkad
13:24 Who were the Akkadians?
16:05 Sargon and Ur-Zababa
20:01 The Founding of the Akkadian Empire
22:17 Sargon Battles Against Elam and Marhashi
23:24 King of Battle
25:49 Administration of the Akkadian Empire
27:26 Enheduanna
30:15 The Glory of Agade
36:30 Rimush the Warmonger 
45:48 Manishtushu the Consolidator 
49:10 Naram-Sin and the Great Revolt
53:55 Naram-Sin the Divine
57:40 Naram-Sin and Elam
1:00:04 Other Conquests of Naram-Sin
1:01:28 Akkadian Administration under Naram-Sin
1:03:26 Land Distribution and Reforms
1:07:28 Family of Naram-Sin and Diplomatic Marriages 
1:09:56 Shar-kali-sharri and the End of an Era
1:16:55 After Akkad 
1:18:29 Thank You and Patrons

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In this video we'll journey back to the late Bronze Age and explore Mycenaean Civilization in Greece and the wider Aegean world.  We'll also delve into the historical events that may have led to armed conflicts between Mycenaeans and Hittites and that may have ultimately served as the basis for Homer's great epics, the Iliad and the Odyssey. 

Contents:

00:00 Contents and Introduction
02:43 Helladic Chronology Explained
03:42 Discovery of Mycenaean Culture
05:35 Geography of Greece
07:28 Early Mycenaeans
10:58 “Mycenae, Rich in Gold”
13:32 Linear B
16:54 Mycenaean Society and Material Culture
21:21 Mycenaean Palatial Centers and Major Kingdoms
23:39 Orchomenos
25:30 Gla
26:00 Thebes
27:00 Athens
29:10 Tiryns
29:49 Pylos
31:15 Daily Life, Food and Economy 
36:41 Importance of Bronze
38:08 Warfare and Weapons
40:25 Hunting and Horses
41:47 Roads
42:26 Religion
45:28 Minoans and Maritime Trade
48:07 Earthquake on Thera
49:26 Mycenaeans on Crete
52:22 Mycenaean Political Unity?
53:31 Ahhiyawa and the Hittites
55:31 Attarissiya of Ahhiya
57:55 The Assuwan Confederacy 
1:00:10 Piyamaradu and the Tawagalawa Letter
1:05:16 Alaksandu of Wilusa (Troy)
1:08:29 Ahhiyawa and Tudhaliya IV
1:11:20 Are Mycenaean Greece and Ahhiyawa the Same?
1:13:07 Mycenaean Trade with the World
1:15:08 The Uluburun Shipwreck
1:18:01 Fear and Dread
1:23:15 Desperate Times, Desperate Measures
1:25:53 Possible Theories for the Fall of Mycenaean Civilization
1:27:24 End of an Era
1:28:54 Thank You and Patrons

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This program explores the history of the ancient city of Babylon and the land once known as Babylonia.  We'll uncover the story of this great city over the course of fifteen centuries and learn about its impact and why it was so beloved as well as hated by so many in the ancient world.   We'll also meet an interesting and rather eclectic cast of kings including Hammurabi, Zimri-Lim, Rim-Sin, Samsu-iluna, Marduk-apla-iddina II, Sargon II, Sennacherib, Ashurbanipal, Nabopolassar, Nebuchadnezzar I & II, Nabonidus, Cyrus the Great and many more. 

Contents:

00:00 Introduction
04:00 Before Babylon: The Fall of the Neo-Sumerian Empire
05:30 Ibbi-Sin and Ishbi-Erra
09:27 Letter of Puzur-Numushda to Ibbi-Sin
12:21 Fall of Ur and the Birth of Babylonian Civilization
15:11 Dynasties of Isin and Larsa (Isin-Larsa Period)
19:00 The First Dynasty of Babylon
26:32 Hammurabi of Babylon
27:48 Zimri-Lim of Mari
29:48 War with Eshnunna
30:46 The Sukkalmah of Elam
33:12 War with Elam
35:51 Hammurabi and Rim-Sin
39:41 Hammurabi and Zimri-Lim
42:24 The Law Code of Hammurabi
46:07 Rebellions during the Reign of Samsu-iluna
52:30 The Last Four Kings of the First Dynasty
55:29 The Hittite Invasion of Babylonia
58:03 The Kassites take Control
01:03:45 The Kassites Reunite Babylonia 
01:06:30 Rivalry with Assyria 
01:09:05 Assyria show Babylon who’s Boss
01:11:40 Tukulti-Ninurta’s Conflict with the Kassites
01:14:35 The Second Sack of Babylon
01:18:37 Elamite Incursions
01:20:10 Babylon Bounces Back
01:22:36 The End of the Kassite Era
01:25:55 The Second Dynasty of Isin
01:27:23 Nebuchadnezzar I Avenges Babylon 
01:33:50 Life under the Second Dynasty of Isin
01:34:56 Literary Works: Enuma Elish and Sakkiku
01:37:24 More Assyrian Meddling 
01:43:43 Dark Age and Mysterious Dynasties of Babylon
01:44:40 Second Dynasty of the Sealand
01:47:43 The Bazi Dynasty
01:48:11 The Elamite Dynasty 
01:49:10 Dynasty E
01:53:52 Tiglath-pileser III and the Neo-Assyrian Era of Babylon
02:01:48 Marduk-apla-iddina II of Babylon and Sargon the II of Assyria
02:11:19 Sennacherib 
01:24:50 The Destruction of Babylon
02:27:50 Esarhaddon Rebuilds Babylon
02:33:12 Ashurbanipal and Shamash-shumu-ukin
02:39:40 Nabopolassar and the Fall of Assyria
02:46:54 Nebuchadnezzar II 
02:53:10 Nabonidus, the Last Babylonian King
02:56:40 Cyrus the Great and the Persian Conquest of Babylon
03:01:04 End of an Era
03:07:27 Thank You and Patrons

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