Modules

The Persians in a Near Eastern Context (CLA3274)

30 credits

This short intensive module will consider the Persians and the Persian Empire in the context of neighbouring Near Eastern cultures and empires. Beginning with the Assyrian empire and its ideology, it will look at how the Persians under Cyrus the Great created the first empire from the kingship of Anshan, and the extent to which we might consider his rule Persian or Achaemenian. The court crisis of the late sixth century will be scrutinised, and the transformation of court and imperial culture under Darius I, as well as Xerxes' experimentation with imperial expansion but finally as founder of the pax Achaemenica in the light of continuing structural and internal problems at the Persian court. Finally, questions will be asked about the success of the Persian kings of the fourth century, including Artaxerxes and Darius III, and whether Alexander should really be thought of as the last of the Achaemenians.