Enter a player name to begin or load your saved progress.
Mardonius' father, Gobryas, was a rival claimant to the Persian throne whom Darius had to defeat.
Answer: False
Explanation: Gobryas was a Persian nobleman who assisted Darius I in securing the throne, not a rival claimant.
Mardonius married Xerxes I's sister, making him Xerxes' brother-in-law.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mardonius married Xerxes I's half-sister, Artozostra, who was Darius's daughter. This made him Xerxes' brother-in-law through marriage.
King Alexander I of Macedon actively supported Mardonius' invasion plans and provided troops.
Answer: False
Explanation: While subdued by Mardonius, Alexander I of Macedon maintained his kingship but secretly provided intelligence to the Athenians, indicating a lack of active support for the invasion.
Mardonius's father, Gobryas, was instrumental in Darius I securing the Persian throne.
Answer: True
Explanation: Gobryas, Mardonius's father, was a key Persian nobleman who aided Darius I in his successful bid for the throne.
Mardonius regained prominence and influence under the rule of Darius the Great.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mardonius regained prominence and influence primarily under the rule of Xerxes I, Darius the Great's successor.
What was Mardonius's familial relationship to Darius the Great?
Answer: Mardonius was Darius the Great's nephew and son-in-law.
Explanation: Mardonius's father, Gobryas, had assisted Darius I in securing the throne. Darius then married Gobryas's daughter, making Darius Mardonius's uncle, and Mardonius married Darius's daughter, Artozostra, making him Darius's son-in-law.
What was Mardonius's name in Old Persian?
Answer: Mrduniya
Explanation: The name Mardonius is derived from the Old Persian name Mrduniya.
Who was Gobryas?
Answer: Mardonius' father, a nobleman who helped Darius claim the throne.
Explanation: Gobryas was Mardonius's father and a significant Persian nobleman who played a crucial role in assisting Darius I to ascend to the throne.
Under which Persian ruler did Mardonius regain prominence and lead the second invasion?
Answer: Xerxes I
Explanation: Mardonius regained significant influence and command under Xerxes I, who succeeded Darius the Great and launched the second invasion of Greece.
What was the primary reason Darius the Great initially appointed Mardonius as a commander?
Answer: To retaliate against Athens for its support of the Ionian Revolt.
Explanation: Darius the Great's primary objective in appointing Mardonius was to punish Athens for its involvement in the Ionian Revolt.
Mardonius was primarily known for his naval command during the Greco-Persian Wars.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mardonius's primary military role was as a land commander; his naval command ended in disaster.
During the first Persian invasion, Mardonius achieved land victories in Thrace despite the loss of his fleet.
Answer: True
Explanation: Although his fleet was destroyed by a storm, Mardonius secured land victories in Thrace before retreating.
The destruction of Mardonius' fleet occurred off the coast of Cyprus.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mardonius' fleet was destroyed by a storm off the coast of Mount Athos.
During the first invasion, Macedonia was incorporated into the Persian Empire as a client kingdom under Mardonius.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mardonius's campaign successfully subdued Macedonia, integrating it into the Persian Empire as a subordinate client kingdom.
Mardonius's primary objective during the first invasion was to punish Athens for its support of the Ionian Revolt.
Answer: True
Explanation: Darius the Great appointed Mardonius to retaliate against Athens for its involvement in the Ionian Revolt, making this a primary objective of the first invasion.
Darius the Great appointed Datis and Artaphernes junior to lead the invasion of Greece in 490 BC, *after* Mardonius' disastrous first campaign.
Answer: True
Explanation: Following Mardonius's retreat due to fleet losses, Darius appointed Datis and Artaphernes to lead the subsequent invasion in 490 BC, which culminated in the Battle of Marathon.
What major disaster befell Mardonius' fleet during the first Persian invasion of Greece in 492 BC?
Answer: It was sunk by a storm off the coast of Mount Athos.
Explanation: According to Herodotus, Mardonius's fleet suffered catastrophic losses when it was destroyed by a severe storm while navigating the coast near Mount Athos.
What specific territories did Mardonius' army incorporate into the Persian Empire during the first invasion?
Answer: Thasos and Macedonia
Explanation: During his first invasion, Mardonius's forces incorporated the island of Thasos and fully subdued Macedonia, integrating them into the Persian Empire.
What was the primary reason Mardonius was relieved of command after the first invasion?
Answer: The catastrophic loss of his fleet in a storm off Mount Athos.
Explanation: The destruction of his fleet off Mount Athos was the primary reason Darius the Great relieved Mardonius of command and forced his retreat.
Xerxes I readily accepted Mardonius' advice to invade Greece without any dissenting opinions.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Mardonius strongly advocated for the invasion, advisors like Artabanus urged caution and presented dissenting opinions.
Mardonius was responsible for the destruction of the city of Sparta during the second invasion.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mardonius's army destroyed Athens, but Sparta was never captured or destroyed by the Persians.
Following the naval defeat at Salamis, Mardonius was recalled to Persia by Xerxes.
Answer: False
Explanation: After the Battle of Salamis, Xerxes I departed Persia, leaving Mardonius in command of the army and conquered territories in Greece.
Mardonius' army successfully captured and held the Acropolis of Athens.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Mardonius's army captured and destroyed Athens, they did not successfully hold the Acropolis. The primary destruction occurred after the city's evacuation.
Who succeeded Darius the Great and came under Mardonius' influence for the second invasion of Greece?
Answer: Xerxes I
Explanation: Xerxes I succeeded his father, Darius the Great, and was heavily influenced by Mardonius's counsel to renew the invasion of Greece.
Which advisor urged Xerxes I against invading Greece, contrasting with Mardonius' aggressive stance?
Answer: Artabanus
Explanation: Artabanus, another advisor to Xerxes, cautioned against the invasion, presenting a more measured perspective compared to Mardonius's persistent advocacy for war.
What significant event occurred after the Battle of Salamis that left Mardonius in command in Greece?
Answer: Xerxes I departed Persia, leaving Mardonius in command of the conquered territories and a substantial army.
Explanation: Following the naval defeat at Salamis, Xerxes I withdrew his main forces from Greece, entrusting Mardonius with the command of the remaining army and the administration of conquered lands.
Which Greek king, subdued by Mardonius, provided crucial intelligence to the Athenians?
Answer: Alexander I of Macedon
Explanation: Alexander I of Macedon, having been subdued by Mardonius, secretly relayed crucial intelligence to the Athenians, demonstrating his underlying allegiance to Greece.
What destructive act did Mardonius' army carry out in Greece after the Battle of Salamis?
Answer: They destroyed the city of Athens.
Explanation: After the naval defeat at Salamis, Mardonius's land forces advanced into Attica and destroyed the city of Athens, which had been evacuated by its population.
What was the outcome for King Alexander I of Macedon after being subdued by Mardonius?
Answer: He remained king but provided intelligence to the Athenians.
Explanation: Although subdued and forced to provide troops, Alexander I of Macedon secretly relayed crucial intelligence to the Athenians, demonstrating his underlying allegiance to Greece.
What did Mardonius' army do to Athens after capturing it?
Answer: They sacked the city and destroyed its buildings.
Explanation: After capturing Athens, Mardonius's forces proceeded to sack the city and demolish its structures.
Mardonius established Persian satrapies in the Ionian cities during his first campaign.
Answer: False
Explanation: Instead of establishing satrapies, Mardonius deposed the existing Greek tyrants and established democratic governments in the Ionian cities.
The archaeological remains known as Perserschutt are evidence of Mardonius' rebuilding efforts in Athens.
Answer: False
Explanation: Perserschutt refers to the archaeological evidence of Athens' destruction by Mardonius's army, not rebuilding efforts.
Mardonius offered the Athenians a truce and assistance in rebuilding their city after capturing it.
Answer: True
Explanation: After sacking Athens, Mardonius proposed a truce and offered aid for reconstruction, which the Athenians rejected.
Mardonius's strategic goal in establishing democracies in Ionia was to prepare them for direct Persian rule.
Answer: False
Explanation: The establishment of democracies in Ionia by Mardonius was likely intended to secure their loyalty and prevent future revolts, rather than immediate annexation.
The term Perserschutt refers to Persian battle standards found after the Battle of Plataea.
Answer: False
Explanation: Perserschutt refers to the archaeological remains found in Athens, evidence of the city's destruction by Mardonius's army.
Mardonius's decision to establish democratic governments in Ionia was a standard Persian practice for ruling conquered territories.
Answer: False
Explanation: Establishing democracies in Ionia was an unusual move for the Persians, contrasting with their typical practice of ruling through local potentates or appointed satraps.
Mardonius was known for his diplomatic skills in negotiating peace treaties with Greek states.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mardonius is primarily characterized as a military commander and proponent of war, not as a diplomat skilled in negotiating peace treaties.
How did Mardonius attempt to secure the loyalty of the Ionian cities during his first campaign?
Answer: By deposing the existing Greek tyrants and establishing democratic governments.
Explanation: Mardonius replaced the ruling tyrants in the Ionian cities with democratic governments, a move intended to foster loyalty and prevent future revolts.
What does the term 'Perserschutt' refer to in relation to Mardonius's actions?
Answer: The archaeological remains providing evidence of Athens' destruction by Mardonius's army.
Explanation: Perserschutt, meaning 'Persian rubble,' denotes the archaeological findings in Athens that document the destruction wrought by Mardonius's forces.
How did the Athenians respond to Mardonius' offer to rebuild their city and grant a truce?
Answer: They rejected the offer outright, remaining resolute against the invasion.
Explanation: Despite the devastation of their city, the Athenians demonstrated unwavering resolve by rejecting Mardonius's offer of a truce and rebuilding assistance.
What was the strategic significance of Mardonius establishing democratic governments in the Ionian cities?
Answer: To ensure their loyalty and prevent future revolts after the Persian army moved on.
Explanation: By establishing democratic governments, Mardonius aimed to secure the loyalty of the Ionian cities and prevent them from rebelling once the Persian army had advanced further.
Artabazus, a Persian commander, fully supported Mardonius' decision to fight at Plataea.
Answer: False
Explanation: Artabazus, another Persian commander, expressed doubts about the wisdom of engaging the Greek army at Plataea, opposing Mardonius's aggressive stance.
Mardonius was killed by the Spartan general Pausanias at the Battle of Plataea.
Answer: False
Explanation: While Pausanias led the Spartan forces, historical accounts attribute Mardonius's death to a soldier named Aeimnestus.
The death of Mardonius immediately led to a decisive Persian victory at Plataea.
Answer: False
Explanation: Mardonius's death caused the Persian army to disintegrate due to collapsed command and morale, leading to a decisive Greek victory, not a Persian one.
The Battle of Plataea resulted in a decisive victory for Mardonius and the Persian forces.
Answer: False
Explanation: The Battle of Plataea resulted in a decisive victory for the allied Greek forces, leading to the death of Mardonius and the rout of the Persian army.
Mardonius' campaign in Greece concluded with his death in 479 BC.
Answer: True
Explanation: Mardonius's final campaign in Greece culminated in his death at the Battle of Plataea in 479 BC, marking the end of the second Persian invasion.
At which location did Mardonius position his army to confront the advancing Greek forces before the final battle?
Answer: Plataea
Explanation: Mardonius strategically positioned his army at Plataea to engage the combined Greek forces in the decisive battle of the second invasion.
Who opposed Mardonius' decision to fight at Plataea, citing doubts about Persian victory?
Answer: Artabazus
Explanation: Artabazus, a Persian commander, voiced opposition to Mardonius's plan to fight at Plataea, questioning the likelihood of a Persian victory.
What was the ultimate fate of Mardonius at the Battle of Plataea?
Answer: He was killed during the battle while fighting the Spartan forces.
Explanation: Mardonius met his end during the Battle of Plataea, falling in combat against the Spartan contingent.
According to Herodotus and Plutarch, who killed Mardonius at the Battle of Plataea?
Answer: Aeimnestus
Explanation: The ancient historians Herodotus and Plutarch credit a Spartan soldier named Aeimnestus with killing Mardonius during the Battle of Plataea.
What was the immediate consequence of Mardonius' death on the battlefield at Plataea?
Answer: The Persian army disintegrated and broke apart due to collapsed command and morale.
Explanation: The death of Mardonius led to a collapse in command and morale, causing the Persian army to disintegrate and break apart on the battlefield.
Herodotus suggested Mardonius was motivated solely by loyalty to the Persian Empire and duty.
Answer: False
Explanation: Herodotus portrayed Mardonius as driven by personal ambition and a desire for 'mischief and adventure,' rather than solely by loyalty.
Herodotus characterized Mardonius' counsel as consistently wise and beneficial for the Persian Empire.
Answer: False
Explanation: Herodotus often portrayed Mardonius's counsel negatively, suggesting it was driven by personal ambition and a penchant for conflict, rather than wisdom.
According to Herodotus, what was a potential personal motivation for Mardonius' advocacy for war?
Answer: A personal inclination for 'mischief and adventure' and a desire to become satrap of Greece.
Explanation: Herodotus suggested that Mardonius was motivated by a personal inclination for conflict and the ambition to become the satrap, or governor, of Greece.
What anecdote illustrates the differing attitudes towards warfare between Greeks and Persians, as related by Herodotus involving Mardonius' head?
Answer: Pausanias rejected mounting Mardonius' head on a pole, calling it 'barbarian'.
Explanation: Herodotus recounts that Pausanias refused to display Mardonius's head, deeming such an act 'barbarian' and contrary to Greek conduct, highlighting a cultural distinction.
What was the approximate size of the elite Persian force Mardonius commanded in the final stages of the second invasion?
Answer: 300,000 troops
Explanation: Herodotus estimates that Mardonius commanded an elite force of approximately 300,000 troops during the latter stages of the second invasion of Greece.
Which of the following was NOT part of the elite force Mardonius commanded, according to Herodotus?
Answer: The Spartan contingent led by Pausanias
Explanation: The Spartan contingent, led by Pausanias, fought against Mardonius's forces at Plataea; they were not part of his army.