Contrasting Xerxes and Cyrus: A Historical Analysis
The passage explores the differing relationships between Xerxes and Cyrus with their respective people, highlighting their contrasting personalities and behaviors. Xerxes was depicted as demanding and harsh, while Cyrus was portrayed as kind and forgiving. The text delves into specific instances where their actions toward their subjects differed, showcasing the varying leadership styles of the two Persian kings.
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Xerxes Feedback Lesson
Things I was really pleased to see in the assessments!
Using details from Passage A and your own knowledge, explain how different the relationship between Xerxes and his people was to that of Cyrus (15) Similarities between Xerxes and Cyrus Differences between Xerxes and Cyrus PASSAGE A: Xerxes was furiously angry. You miserable fellow. he cried, have you the face to mention your son, when I, in person, am marching to the war against Greece with my sons and brothers you, my slave, whose duty it was to come with me with every member of your house When you did me good service, and offered more, you cannot boast that you were more generous than I; and now your punishment will be less than your rudeness deserves. You and four of your sons are saved by the entertainment you gave me; but you shall pay with the life of the fifth . Having answered Pythius in these words Xerxes at once gave orders that the men to whom such duties fell should find Pythius eldest son and cut him in half and put the two halves on each side of the road, for the army to march out between them. Both could be careless and irrational when faced with challenge from their people. Xerxes lost him temper and killed Pythius and whipped the Hellespont when his first bridges broke. Cyrus failed to listen to the advice of his generals when fighting the Massagatae and was slaughtered as a result of choosing the wrong side of the river. Xerxes clearly vicious and violent towards his people, particularly those who disappointed him. Whereas Cyrus was mostly kind and forgiving, e.g. understanding towards Harpagus defection from Astyages, spared Croesus life, beloved by his people the men to whom such duties fell should find Pythius eldest son and cut him in half Xerxes was more demanding and expectant of his people, e.g. when he refused Pythius request and emptied Asia . Whereas Cyrus was more understanding and considerate. E.g. commissioning the Cyrus Cylinder as a record of the rights of the people, and building a temple for the Jews. you, my slave, whose duty it was to come with me with every member of your house Herodotus, Histories 7.39
Xerxes sought to continue the work and policies of Darius in every way. How far do you agree with this view? (20 marks + 5 SPaG) Most of us picked up on 2-3 of these ideas, which was great. Xerxes DID continue the W+P of Darius Xerxes did NOT continue the W+P of Darius They needed MORE HISTORICAL DETAIL, for BOTH kings. Continued the war against the Greeks! Was very influenced by advisors, compared to Darius who was capable of ruling independently. You need to discuss Xerxes and Darius in Equal measure! Repeated the Bisitun Inscription, mimicking Darius almost exactly. TASK: read the example essay. Underline/highlight where you find the following; Connecting to the Bisitun Inscription Xerxes kept the idea of Ahuramazda supporting his reign. Xerxes didn t actually add anything new to infrastructure, so although he kept things the same, he didn t continue Darius policy of innovation. E.g. Canal, satraps and postal system. - Where each paragraph establishes the point it s making Where GOOD historical detail is used. Where each paragraph links back to the question before it finishes. Where the alternative argument paragraph is made. Kept Persepolis as his main palace, added Gate of all Lands as an entrance hall. - - -
Some people may argue that Xerxes continued his fathers legacy in every possible way. This can be seen in the royal inscriptions, where Xerxes says that he continued the unfinished building projects of his father, and also built the gate of all Lands. This shows that Xerxes continued his father's legacy because he finished what Darius started and also added to the Bisitun inscription, as he continued the work and politics of Darius. Some people may also argue that Xerxes continued his father's legacy. This can be argued because Darius had made Ahuzamazda his patron god as he used Ahuramazda to justify his decisions. After the death of Darius, Xerxes had also endorsed the patronage of Ahuramazda. This shows that Xerxes, much like his father, used Ahuzamazda as a justification for their actions which is how Xerxes continued the work and policies of his father. Furthermore, Darius had tried to invade mainland Greece in 484 BCE but had failed because a storm off the shore of mount Athos had wrecked his fleet. After Darius's death, Xerxes spent 4 years and 'emptied Asia of its men' to prepare for a 2nd invasion of mainland Greece, because he wanted to finish off what his father had started. Xerxes managed to sack Athens as revenge for them helping in the Ionian revolt, where they had sent 20 triremes to resist the Persians. This shows that Xerxes continued his father's policies as he invaded Greece because his father had failed, and sacked Athens as revenge for his father. However, it can also be argued that Xerxes wasn't much like his father. This can be argued because Darius had built the Apadana staircase with all the tribes and peoples of Persia, not only showing the diversity and tolerance of Persia, but also their unity as an empire. This shows that Darius was respectful of his people. However, Xerxes thought of the people of Persia as his slaves and treated his disrespectfully. This shows that Xerxes didn't continue his father's legacy, as Darius was tolerant and Xerxes, well not so much. In conclusion, I agree that Xerxes continued the work and policies of his father as he finished so much of what his father had left, but maybe he wasn't exactly like Darius because Darius was tolerant and respectful of his people and Xerxes wasn't, as he treated his people like slaves.
The greatest developments for the Achaemenid Empire were achieved under Cyrus the Great . How far do you agree with this?
