Abstract
This paper focuses on the period of unification of the Persian Empire accomplished under Darius, who ruled from 522 B.C. to 486 B.C. It examines the changes and advances that Darius achieved during this ruling period. The writer concludes that the period reflects the diversity of the empire and proclaims a single theme, a harmonious world order thanks to a benevolent and beneficent king.

From the Paper
"The Achaemenid Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus, centered on southwest Iran and lower Mesopotamia. Cyrus enlarged the empire by seizing the kingdom of Lydia in 547 BC and gradually adsorbing Greek colonies in Ionia, in western Asia Minor. He called this the Achaemenid Empire, after his ancestor, Achaemenes. Under Darius I, it reached its greatest extent, stretching from the Aegean Sea to the Indus River, from Egypt to the modern Central Asian Republics. The empire was vast and its people diverse. The twenty-six different subject peoples of the land spoke different languages, worshiped different gods, lived in different environments and had widely differing social customs."

Tags:Achaemenid

Abstract
The paper discusses whether Alexander's victories were inevitable or not and if Darius could have been successful in defeating him. The paper explains that there is no doubt that Alexander the Great had a tremendous impact on the world. The paper shows how Alexander's uncanny grasp of human behavior, combined with his apparent belief that he was, if not immortal, at least touched by divinity, made him an extremely formidable opponent. The paper concludes that because he was so formidable, it is highly unlikely that Darius would have been able to prevent Alexander from taking over the Persian Empire.

From the Paper
"However, what if Alexander's desire to conquer the world had been thwarted? There can be no doubt that the face of the modern world would be dramatically changed if Alexander had not conquered the Greek city-states, and then gone on to conquer the known world. Since his death more than 2000 years ago, there has been a tremendous amount of discussion about the impact of his victories. In contrast, relatively little attention has been paid to discussing whether Alexander's victories were inevitable. Instead, the inevitability of Alexander's success has been treated as if it was a given. This attitude overlooks two critical facts."

Tags:Darius, Persia, Macedonia, conqueror, victory

Abstract
This well-researched paper examines the first Persian war against the Greeks which occurred in the summer of 490 B.C., when the Persian king Darius invaded Greece. This paper explores the manner in which the Greek forces led by Miltiades obtained a solid victory over Persia's military, despite being severely outnumbered. This paper, rife with historical facts pertaining to this particular topic, also discusses the events that ensued 10 years later in 480 B.C. when King Darius' son Xerxes vowed to avenge his father's previous loss by once again declaring war on Greece. This paper delves into the military capabilities of both countries while detailing how the Greeks succeeded against all odds in once again defeating an army that was far more superior in numbers.

From the Paper
"The Greek Navy, whose core was made up of the Athenian fleet, although less numerous, was made up of newer and superior ships, the triremes, which were manned by experienced crews, trained in naval warfare. By comparison, the Persians were poor seamen, and only the Greek cities under Persian control had supplied ships that were crewed by experienced sailor. But these were also inferior to Athenian ships. There should be noted here the crucial role that Themistocles had in convincing the Ecclesia (the gathering of the Athenian People) to build these ships in time, before the breaking out of the war. But the greatest merit of the Greeks was that, although not united all under a flag, they were able nevertheless to present a relatively united front to the invading armies. Historically, the Greek cities evolved as independent political entities."

Tags:history, greek, roman, persia, war, military, spartans

Abstract
The paper discusses the architecture of two ancient civilizations, the Persians and the Greeks. The paper examines the architecture of Pasargadae, the metropolis that became a dynastic symbol of power and reverence following the establishment of the great complex at Persepolis during the reign of Darius I between 521 and 486 B.C.E. The paper explores how the architectural styles of the Achaemenid period are comparable to those found in ancient Greece, especially during the Classical period. The paper details the structure of the Parthenon.

From the Paper
"Architecturally, the buildings of Pasargadae were constructed at varying distances from each other with the major palaces built in a huge walled complex irrigated by water channels. The main palace of Cyrus could be entered through a monumental gateway with carvings of winged bulls on either side. Within this compound, two rectangular structures with columned porches and an immense internal area filled with more columns could be found, all composed of black and white limestone (Pope, 1965, 85). The reliefs which have remained suggests that the figures represented the apotropaic monsters of Assyrian origin; others included the heads of lions, horses and goats. Overall, the mud-brick walls were painted, possibly with diagonal stripes and spirals or red, blue and white."

Tags:tomb, Prison, of, Solomon, Xerxes, Assyrian, Throne, Hall, Babylonian

Abstract
This paper examines Ice Cube's 2005 film, "XXX: State of the Union" and suggests that it is a film rife with stereotypes especially about whites and women. It explains that the film provides a framework for Darius Stone, which creates many more questions than it does answers. Finally the paper looks closely at whether or not "XXX" can be described as a liberal film or whether the designation is too simplistic.

From the Paper
"The following paper will examine Ice Cube's 2005 film, "XXX: State of the Union", and suggest that it is a film rife with stereotypes (especially about whites and about women) and a film which provides a framework for Darius Stone's motivations which almost immediately creates many more questions than it answers. Finally, the paper looks closely at whether or not Triple XXX can be described as a "liberal film" or whether that designation might not be too simplistic. In the final analysis, what should emerge from the following paper is an appreciation that even bad films can be worthwhile topics of discussion. An Analysis of "XXX: State of the Union" reveals a number of fascinating things. Not least of all, it reveals the determination of Hollywood to perpetuate a number of racial stereotypes which clearly demarcate black from white. The most obvious stereotype is that of the ..."

Tags:triplexxx, film, analysis

Abstract
This paper explains that the "Book of Haggai" ("The Prophecy of Aggeus") is the tenth of the twelve Old Testament books that bear the names of the minor prophets. Haggai ( 6th century BC) served to mobilize the Jewish community in the enormous effort required to rebuild the Temple of Jerusalem (516 BC) after the Babylonian Exile and prophesied the glorious future of the Messianic age. The author points out that the book is comprised of a series of prophecies, which were delivered over the course of a four-month period in the second year of the reign of the Persian king, Darius I the Great (521 BC). The paper concludes that, whenever people struggle to overcome the complacency and lack of piety that characterizes modern life, they can look to the example of Haggai, as he sought to accomplish what he believed was necessary to usher in a new Messianic order.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Background and Overview
Review and Discussion
Prophecies in the Book of Haggai
Genealogical Significance of Title
Obedience and Responsiveness of the Jewish People in the Book of Haggai
Impact of Haggai on Traditional and Contemporary Liturgical Thought
Conclusion

From the Paper
"The international situation during and several decades before the time of Haggai and Zechariah clearly had a profound impact on what these prophets represented and what they intended to do. According to Hallo and Simpson, the entire face of the ancient Near East -- Mesopotamia, Syria-Palestine, Egypt had shifted with the defeat of the Babylonian empire, an event that may be conveniently dated to the defeat of the city of Babylon in 538 BC. According to Kent, the political and national life of the Jewish people, which had been all-important in the days before the exile suddenly ceased. Over the course of the next 400 years the Jewish people were enslaved, and were powerless under the hands of their foreign masters."

Tags:old, testament, temple, jerusalem, messianic

Abstract
This paper analyzes the life and customs of the Ancient Persians from 490-425 BCE. It describes their history according to the history recorded by the ancient historian, Herodotus. The paper then compares the account of Herodotus with that of another ancient historian, Xenophon. The paper concludes that the ancient Persians were a good and intelligent people; social, religious and interested in their society and how it was governed.

From the Paper
"What each of these works serves to do is to inform the modern historian and help to reconstruct the culture and life of the ancients. What we know when we bring together these vital pieces of historical observations and documents, is that the Persians were very much an open society. They were a society that embraced diversity, learned from the cultures that they welcomed into and amongst their own, and that, like the rest of the ancient world, held religious beliefs and put those beliefs into religious practice; but, as Herodotus noted, not so similar as did the rest of the world because they did not put the celebration into their worship of Zeus as did they the celebration of society."
"This does not mean that they were without faith, indeed they were very faithful, but their faith was one that encompassed the well being of society, they prayed for all Persians, rather than that which they wanted or needed for themselves."

Tags:society, Cyrus, Darius

Abstract
This paper presents an examination of the military strategy employed by the Greek and Persian armies during Xerxes' invasion of Greece in the 4th century BC. Sun Tzu's 'Art of War' is used as the basis for analysis and critique of the strategies employed by both sides. The paper discusses two major battles during the invasion- Thermopylae and Plataea.

From the Paper
"More than two thousand years ago, a Chinese strategist known as Sun Tzu wrote one of the enduring classics of military theory. Most likely written during a period of Chinese history referred to as the 'Warring States' period, Sun Tzu's The Art of War has continued to be studied by military strategists for millennia. Even today, The Art of War is required reading for Naval Officer Candidates. At nearly the same time in the fourth century B.C., the Greek city-states were facing invasion from the mighty Persian army. Vastly outnumbered, the Greeks eventually triumphed by defeating their enemies at Plataea, but not before fighting one of history's greatest military stands at Thermopylae. By using Sun Tzu's classic text to analyze the battles of Thermopylae and Plataea, it is possible to gain a better understanding not only of the battles themselves, but also of the reasons why The Art of War has remained such an influential and respected text over the centuries."

Tags:300, athens, darius, greece, greek, hoplite, leonidas, military, persia, persian, plataea, sparta, spartans, sun, thermopylae, tzu, war, xerxes

Abstract
The paper details the Persian invasion of Greece in the fifth century B.C. It explains that many Greek cities had already been invaded, but at the battle of Marathon, the Athenians fought the Persians and obtained a victory, even though they were severely outnumbered. The paper explains that ten years later, Xerxes decided to avenge the defeat at Marathon and wanted to establish Persian control over the Mediterranean area. The writer details the battle that ensued and explains how the Greeks won the battle against all odds. The writer explains why it was relatively easy for the Persians to conquer many Greek cities in the earlier invasion. It explains that in part, this was because in each of the cities that was conquered, there were influential people living there who were supporters of Persia. In conclusion, the writer posits that had Greece not had a victory against the Persians, the history of the Greek world, and maybe the whole of Europe would have been very different.

From the Paper
"Ten years later, the preparations made by Darius' son, Xerxes, to avenge the defeat at Marathon and establish the Persian control over the Mediterranean are complete. Preceded by awe inspiring preparations, like the construction of a bridge of boats over the Hellespont and the cutting of a channel over the isthmus at Mount Athos, the Persian Army again invades Greece, marching through Thrace, Thessaly and Locris. The Greek historian Herodotus states that the total number of Xerxes' land and naval forces was about 2,640,000 warriors. He said that when they were marching, they drank many a river dry. Modern historians agree that the actual numbers were actually probably between 200,000 and 300,000 warriors, and more than 1,000 ships. Herodotus describes in Book VII of his Histories the composition of Xerxes' army (chapters LXI - XCIX), which was highly heterogeneous, being composed from nations all over Asia as far as India and also some European nations."

Tags:Xerxes, Darius, Marathon, Thermopylae