Western Civilization I / Unit 3 WC1 0219 short lesson, about 20 seconds
Persian Leniency Against Greek Participation
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The idea
Persia's innovation was leniency: subjects kept religion, language and custom for loyalty, taxes and troops under an absolute king of kings. The poleis were the opposite: citizens voting, holding office, fighting as equals. Sample question two tests this contrast.
In practice
Assyrian terror, Persian leniency, Greek participation: three ways to rule.
Where people slip
Slavery was not outlawed in the poleis; Greeks kept more slaves than Persia.
Your place on the trail
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Builds on
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