CHAPTER V
From the Erection of the Persian Empire, to the Division of the Grecian Empire after the Death of Alexander.
THE Babylonians, groaning under the oppressive yoke of their Persians masters, in 517 B. c. made a desperate effort to shake it off; but they were signally defeated by Darius Hystaspis, who besieged the city of Babylon, demolished its fortifications, and caused its walls to be lowered from 200 to 50 cubits. Darius then turned his arms against the Scythians; after which he directed his course eastward, and reduced the country as far as the Indus. In the meantime the Ionians, who had submitted to Cyrus, revolted, which led to the invasion of the Grecian states, and those disasters to the Persians by land and sea, which we have elsewhere related. In 459 B. C. the Egyptians made an ineffectual attempt to regain their independence. They also again revolted in 413 B. C. and being assisted by the Sidonians, drew upon the latter that terrible destruction foretold by the prophets, while they more firmly riveted the chains which bound themselves to the Persian rule.
The Persian history exhibits every characteristic of oriental cruelty, treachery, and despotism; and with a few splendid exceptions, presents us with a series of monarchs whose lust of power was equalled only by their licentiousness. But the greatness of the Persian empire was soon about to be humbled. Ten thousand Greek mercenaries had served under the younger Cyrus in his rebellious attempt to seize the throne of his elder brother, Artaxerxes Mnemon; but he was defeated and killed at the battle of Cunaxa, near Babylon; and his Grecian allies, though in a strange coun- I2 try, and surrounded on all sides by enemies, effected their safe retreat under Xenophon, whose conduct on this occasion has been extolled both by ancient and modern writers, as exhibiting a matchless union of prudent caution and military skill. In this rapid sketch we shall not stop to notice the various contests which took place between the Grecian states, though they make a considerable figure in their respective histories; but pass on to the time of Philip of Macedon, who, taking advantage of the wars and dissentions which were gradually weakening the neighboring states of Greece, began to meditate their conquest; and by sometimes pretending to assist one state and sometimes another, he finally effected his object. Having become master of all Greece, he projected the conquest of Asia; his death, however, by assassination, left that great achievement to be attempted by his ambitious and warlike son, Alexander, surnamed the Great.