The Wars of Hellas
Part I,
Part II,
Part III,
Part IV.
Summary of events thus far: Aristagoras rebelled against Persia, persuading most of Ionia to join him. He then goes to Hellas in order to get some more allies there. He manages to convince Sparta to help him, as well as Athens, since Athens was ruled by a tyrant put in place by Sparta. With their help, the Ionian revolt is able to succeed, winning their independence and "liberating" Cyprus. This basically causes a Persian implosian, Egypt and Phonecia also revolt and Darius is assasinated, causing a succession war to occur between Darius' sons Xerxes and Artobazanes. Back in Greece, Themistocles overthrows Isagoras as tyrant of Athens, sparking a war between Athens and Sparta which ends in an official draw, but with Themistocles remaining as tyrant of Athens and Athens on the rise as a power.
Warning: The following was intentionally expressed in a certain genre in order to break away from the hordes of das-style clones (nothing against das, he is the undisputed master of alt-historians here and fully deserves to have alt-hist clones). It is not to be taken as actually happening. It is intentionally written from a point of view that contains certain biases, but has enough truth in it to give one an idea of what is going on in the former Persian Empire at this time.
Part IV (Asia: 494-490 BCE)
Now it came to pass in those days that there went out a messenger from King Xerxes of Persia unto Zerubavel, governor of Judah, saying:
Now remember in your youth, when you were the one of King Darius bodyguard, who kept guard over the person of the king, and how because of your wisdom and service, he gave you great gifts, and clothed you in purple, and made you to be called his kinsman, and made you ruler over the Jews. Remember also how he gave you cedar timber from Lebanon, and thirty talents a year, and all you asked for the building of the temple. Now therefore, remember this day his kindness he showed, both to you and your kinsmen and gather an army, and join with us, to punish his murderer.
Now when he heard this, Zerubavel arose, and sent messengers throughout Judah, and gathered a large host at Jerusalem. And he marched out, to give aid to King Xerxes. But while he was still on the road, at outside of Ramah, a man of Adonai[1] stood in his path. And he cried out in a loud voice saying, What are you doing Zerubavel, son of Shealtiel, and whence do you go with the hosts of Jacob?
Then Zerubavel answered and said unto him, I go to give aid unto my lord, King Xerxes as he has commanded.
Then the prophet replied, You have no lord but Adonai! Now therefore listen unto his voice. Do not go to Xerxes, king of Persia, neither give him aid. For Adonai has judged that people for their sins, which are an abomination before him. But I have listened to the prayers of my people, and I have heard your cry, how they sought Me with repentance. Therefore, o Son of David, arise, and go to Jerusalem, for I have remembered my promise to my servant David, and you will be king over all of Israel, both you, and your sons, and your sons sons, as long as they walk in my law.
Now when he had finished speaking, the prophet took a horn full of olive oil, and anointed him in the presence of the whole army. After this, the prophet disappeared, and was never again seen in Israel. Then Zerubavel built an altar and worshiped, and called the place, Yalmelek, for there he was made king by Adonai.
Now therefore, the things the prophet had spoken came to pass even as Adonai had said. For Xerxes, was killed at the place called Cunaxa, and many of his men were killed, and Adonai judged him that day, along with his people.
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In the second year of the reign of Zerubavel son of Shealtiel messengers came from King Artobazanes of Persia. And the messenger came to him and said, People of Judah, do not be mislead by Zerubavel, for he is not able to rescue you from my hand. Dont let Zerubavel tell you Adonai will certainly rescue us. For where was your god in the days of your fathers, when King Nebuchadnezzar took you into captivity? Who then was stronger, your god or the gods of Babylon? Therefore listen to the one who now reigns in Babylon, Send your token of submission and surrender to me. Then I will be gracious towards you and spare your lives, and the lives of your children. But do not trust in your god, for he is nothing to me.
Now therefore when Zerubavel heard these things, he went to the temple dressed in sackcloth and ashes. And there he met Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. And Zerubavel raised his voice and lamented, Woe unto me, that I would live to see such a day! For did not Adonai command me, saying, Do not be afraid, for I have chosen you to be king over my people? Did he bring his people back to the land of their fathers only to send the people again into captivity?
Then Joshua the high priest prophesized, saying Harken unto me Zerubavel, son of Shealtiel. I AM Elohim. Who are the nations of the world before me? And what are their armies? Do the hosts of heaven tremble in fear before them? Did not I bring your fathers out of Egypt with great signs and wonders? Do you think that this is too hard for me? Now hear, O Israel, the armies of Persia will come against you and will prevail for a time, and a half of time. And then all the nations of the world will come together, and speak an oracle against Israel, saying, The armies of Persia are like stars in the sky, who can stand against them? Then I Adonai will come with a mighty hand, and deliver you, so that all nations might know that I AM Elohim.
Now it came to pass just as it was prophesied. For the Persian army came and captured forty-six walled cities, and small towns without number. And Zerubavel marched out, and met the army at Mitzpah. And Adonai was with Zerubavel, and he smote the enemy, eight thousand that day. And Artobazanes fled with his army back to Babylon. Now one day, as he was leaving the temple of his god Marduk, a Babylonian, by the name of Nabuaplausur killed him, so that the word of Adonai might be fulfilled against the one who raised his hand against the chosen ones. After this, Nabuaplausur revolted against Persia and became king of Babylon and Artabanus, the brother of Darius was made king of Persia.
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The Book of Zerubavel
[1]In order to avoid unnecessarily offending any possible Jewish readers, I am using Adonai where I intend the Tetragrammaton to be read, following the Masorites who, in order to avoid pronouncing The Name, always read Adonai.
