OCR A-Level Ancient History H407
Relations Between Greek States and Non-Greek States, 492–404 BC
The Society and Politics of Sparta, 478–404 BC
The Culture and Politics of Athens, c.460–c.399 BC
The Rise of Macedon, c.359–323 BC
The Julio-Claudian Emperors, 31 BC–AD 68
The Breakdown of the Late Republic, 88–31 BC
The Flavians, AD 68–96
Ruling Roman Britain, AD 43–c.128
The Rise of Macedon, c.359–323 BC
Alexander and the Persians: Darius' family, the satraps and the Epigonoi
- 1 thing to know
- Component Group 1
Overview
Recall questions on the treatment of the royal women, the safeguards on Persian governors, the adoption of Persian dress, the thirty thousand trained youths, the Susa marriages, and the fusion debate.
What you need to know
Answer each one before you reveal it.
Questions from this subtopic
Each one with the model answer underneath.
- 1
How did the treatment of Darius' mother Sisygambis serve Alexander's interests?
Model answer
By keeping her in royal state and addressing her as mother he presented himself as the protector of the Achaemenid house, which made his eventual claim to the throne easier for Persians to accept.
- 2
What happened to Darius' wife while she was in Alexander's keeping, and how did he respond?
Model answer
She died in 331 BC while still a captive, and Alexander is reported to have given her a magnificent funeral, which the tradition says moved Darius himself.
- 3
Name two Persians appointed by Alexander to govern provinces.
Model answer
Mazaeus was made satrap of Babylonia and Abulites was left in charge at Susa.
- 4
What safeguard did Alexander build into his appointment of Persian satraps?
Model answer
He separated the powers, leaving the civil government to the Persian but putting a Macedonian officer over the garrison and another over the finances.
- 5
Why did Alexander keep the Persian administrative system rather than replace it?
Model answer
The empire was far too large to be governed by the few hundred Macedonians available, and the existing satrapies already collected the tribute on which his army depended.
- 6
What did Alexander's adoption of Persian dress actually consist of?
Model answer
He took the diadem and elements of Persian royal costume while avoiding the trousers and the upright tiara that Greeks found most objectionable, producing a deliberately mixed style.
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