Aristagoras Mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes by saying hurtful things without considering the possible reaction of the other person or resulting consequences if the criticism reaches that individual. In most cases, the prudent thing to do is to remain quiet, keeping personal thoughts private unless the comments are well thought out. In the worst case, open criticisms can ruin friendships or cause deep seated anger, though it can usually be resolved. However, in the case of Aristagoras, a Persian satrap in the beginning of the 5th century BCE, it shaped the world as we know it. The ancient world at that time was organized much differently than it is today, and Persia was a dominant empire. While local conflicts were common and border skirmishes were an ongoing
Expansion of the Persian Empire may very well have overtaken the less organized and unallied Greek city-states and become the prominent world force, directing the course of history. While Herodotus’ accounts have provided many of the details that may have otherwise been lost, gaining him the title of “Father of History,” Aristagoras could, by some accounts, be given the title “Father of Western Civilization” (Holland 154). While that may be a bit of a stretch, it is not too much to say that Western civilization owes its identity in large part to Aristagoras’
The Greek and Persian Wars 500-323 BC. London: Osprey, 1994.

This book provided excellent background information on the Greco-Persian Wars, along with concise, convincing accounts of the major encounters. Although too involved to include in this report, its detailed battle maps aided in the understanding of the movements of the troops in each skirmish. From its many illustrations, a picture of a frieze of Xerxes was used.

Chandler, Fiona. Ancient World. London: Usborne Publishing LTD, 2012.

This book provided background information on the Greeks and Persians and the clash that erupted. Tracing each civilization from its formation to eventual fall, it covered the highlights from which further areas of more in depth study were identified.

Cox, Rev. G.W. The Greeks and the Persians. New York: Charles Scribners’ Sons, 1804.

This old text gave an interesting account of the conflict between the Greeks and the Persians. It included insight into the lives of the people who changed history and goes into greater depth than any of the other books. It also presented a much different perspective than found in later works.
Curtis, John E. and Nigel Tallis. Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia. Los