What's included
6 live meetings
5 hrs 30 mins in-class hoursHomework
There is no official homework, but optional readings may be recommended depending on in-class discussion.Assessment
While this is a history class, it is a history of warfare -- and a primitive kind at that. We will maintain an academic perspective, but we will discuss how and why people kill one another. We'll keep it PG.Class Experience
US Grade 8 - 11
The fourth installment of Ancient Military History, this six-week class follows the rise and fall of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. In the previous parts of this series, we’ve looked at the military conflicts of the Greek world, many of which were fought against Persia. Now, we’ll rewind the clock and look at Persia’s side of the story. By the dawn of the 7th century BCE, the myriad civilizations of the Fertile Crescent had built themselves into powerful kingdoms, all vying for dominance, and all watching the frightening rise of Assyria. Against this backdrop of struggle and strife, of alliances and betrayals, the star of Cyrus shone brightly. From this quagmire he was able to lift his family to supremacy and found an empire that would come to rule almost half the world’s population. With the kingdom Cyrus built, his Achaemenid line was able to expand into Egypt, India, the eurasian step and eventually Greece, ultimately meeting their match against Alexander the Great. We’ll start at the beginning and cover it all. This is the story of the world's first great empire. This is the story of the King of Kings. Syllabus: Week 1: Balance of Power in the Fertile Crescent — Rival kingdoms in Mesopotamia and the Iranian plateau vie for influence. Out of the chaos, Cyrus forges the first Persian empire. Week 2: Line of Succession — Despite careful planning and clear instructions, the transfer of power after his death didn’t go the way Cyrus imagined. It’s a story of court intrigue and mistaken identities. Week 3: Looking West — The King of Kings expands his Persian empire into Europe, puts down a revolt and sets the prelude for the most important war in European history. Week 4: Invasion of Greece — Persia mobilizes the largest fighting force the world had yet seen to force the city-states of Greece into submission. Week 5: Counterattack & Aftermath — Greece hits back, Egypt revolts, and a surprising, familiar character winds up in the Persian court. Week 6: New Kings, Old Problems — A century of conflict with Greece has put Persia on the back foot. A series of short-lived kings and weak leadership has fractured the empire, though the cracks may not show. Macedon looms over the Aegean.
Learning Goals
Students will begin by learning about the various kingdoms of the 7th century BCE in the Fertile Crescent, and how their struggles gave rise to the Persian empire and Cyrus the Great. The middle part of the curriculum follows the line of kings that Cyrus founded — the Achaemenid dynasty — and their military engagements with surrounding cultures. Finally, we’ll look at the factors that lead to a weakening of the the empire’s structure, allowing Alexander the Great to claim it by conquest.
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree from George Washington University
Hello! Language nerd, history buff, culture geek -- whatever you call it, that's me! I'm obsessed with how people connect and what brings us together. I examine history, literature, language, travel, food and everything human, looking for the personal stories hidden between the lines and the social narratives lurking in the broader context. I love it, and I can't wait to share it with you.
A sample of the kinds of classes I teach:
D&D Adventures
Ancient History
Star Wars
Introductory Spanish
Spanish for Travelers
Speech Writing & Public Speaking
I am a former public relations professional with a masters in PR and bachelor's degrees in Spanish and theatre. In Washington, DC I honed my writing craft while working in think tanks to lead congressional relations teams, polling research programs and bilingual outreach initiatives. I did a little speech writing too. While earning BAs in Spanish, Portuguese and Theatre at the University of Texas, I pursued myriad interdisciplinary interests, minoring in French, Astronomy and History. Currently I have a niche interest and expertise in Classical Antiquity, particularly the geopolitical and military history of Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome. This has guided my current course of study and inspired the majority of classes I teach on Outschool.
Reviews
Live Group Class
$90
for 6 classes1x per week, 6 weeks
55 min
Completed by 45 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 13-18
3-18 learners per class