Western Civilization I / Unit 3 WC1 0215 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Medes and Persians: Cyrus Takes Lydia and Babylon
Captions available
The idea
The Medes, horse warriors of the Iranian plateau, helped destroy Assyria in six twelve. In five fifty Cyrus II of Persia conquered the Medes and absorbed their army, took Lydia in five forty-six, and entered Babylon in five thirty-nine almost unopposed.
In practice
Ionian Greek cities beaten but left their language and religion.
Where people slip
Babylon's king had slighted Marduk's priests. Cyrus honored Marduk.
Your place on the trail
Every lesson rests on earlier ones and opens later ones. Tap any to jump.
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