Despite losing ground on the left flank, the Macedonians still have a fighting chance against the Persians at the Battle of Gaugamela with the ferocious scythe chariots easily countered by their opponents, though the Persian cavalry pose a formidable threat. The pursuit of fugitives by cavalry goes on for days, leading to countless deaths.
Xenophon and his troops camped out near giant ghost cities, bigger than anything Greece would have had at the time. Xenophon couldn't figure out who built them and asked the locals, but they didn't know either, highlighting the weird feeling of looking back at something bigger or better from a long time ago.
This podcast episode explores the perspective of the Persians on rebellion, and how they might have justified using more forceful measures when dealing with revolting populations. It acknowledges the challenge of fully understanding ancient Persian history and its context.
The podcast discusses the different approaches that a ruler can take to rule immensely different people: through conquest or through humanitarianism.
The propaganda of Cyrus and the Persians was focused on their legitimacy to rule in the hope of gaining voluntary submission from the people and creating stability. They showed religious tolerance and allowed continuity in local traditions and customs.