CLA160H1 Lecture 10: CLA363 Lecture 10
Document Summary
State of play in east late 7th c. There are four empires spread out throughout the east. The medes, the babylonians, the lydians and the egypians. Ater conquering medes, conquered the lydians and the babylonians. When he died, his son conquered egypt. Considered the irst true empire of the world. Founded by cyrus guy who inds the kingdom always wity, but their children not so great. Expanded by cambyses supposedly when he conquered egypt, he was shown a sacred bull. He stabbed it, and then becomes cursed and accidently stabs himself in the thigh and dies. Gaumata, pretender, took throne supposedly from the priestly class, claimed to be the brother of cambyses. Not clear to this day what actually went on with him, debate over whether or not his claims were true. Provinces ruled by regional governors, satraps, who operated very independently and were always looking to increase reputaion and power.
