20. Persia - An Empire in Ashes

In the highlands of the Iranian Plateau, a collection of enormous pillars reach up to the sky... In this episode, we tell the story of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Find out how this remarkable ancient power sprung up from the rubble of a ruined world to become the most powerful human society on earth. Hear how they raised their grand palaces and monuments, and brought an unprecedented number of people together within their borders, as well as coming into conflict and cooperation with other ancient peoples. And finally find out what happened to bring the palaces of the Persian kings crashing down in fire and flame. 00:00 - Intro 11:15 - Part I - From the Ashes 19:25 - The Medes, Proto-Iranians and Early Peoples 28:02 - Part II - Cyrus 31:09 - Herodotus 39:58 - Legends of Cyrus and the Feast of Astyages 46:58 - The Upbringing of Cyrus the Great 57:57 - Croesus of Lydia 1:02:07 - The Oracle at Delphi 1:12:54 - The Fall of Sardis 1:19:43 - Conquest of Babylon and Nabonidus 1:33:51 - Part III - The Kingdom 1:35:32 - Life in the Persian Empire 1:42:07 - Gods and Gardens 1:46:20 Persian Burial Practices 1:51:12 - The Palace at Pasargadae 1:54:30 - The Death of Cyrus the Great 2:04:53 - Invasion of Egypt 2:13:19 - The Imposter King 2:17:28 - Darius 2:22:25 - Rebellion 2:28:46 - Roads and Reforms 2:40:35 - The Ionian Revolt 3:01:50 - Part IV - Nemesis 3:05:57 - Battle of Marathon 3:29:40 - Part V - Vengeance 3:24:27 - Xerxes 3:35:24 - Thermopylae 3:50:41 - Salamis and Plataea 4:02:25 - Part VI - A Gathering Storm 4:11:30 - Artaxerxes I and Themistocles 4:19:19 - The War of the Brothers and Xenophon 4:30:15 - Philip II and Macedon 4:40:38 - Part VII - Alexander 4:59:59 - Battle of the Persian Gates 5:02:10 - Persepolis Burns 5:12:23 - The Death of Alexander and Collapse of the Achaemenid Empire 5:17:24 - A.V. Williams Jackson visits Persepolis 5:21:39 - Epilogue and Aeschylus