"Kings of Kings II" continues the story of the Persian Empire and its interactions with the Greek city-states. The episode focuses on the reign of Cambyses II, son of Cyrus the Great, and the rise of Darius I.

Carlin explores the challenges of ruling a vast empire and the psychological effects of wielding absolute power. He discusses the various accounts of Cambyses' rule, including allegations of his insanity and cruelty, while noting the potential bias in these historical sources.

The podcast delves into the complex succession issues following Cambyses' death, including the story of an imposter claiming to be Cambyses' brother. Carlin examines the rise of Darius I to power, presenting various theories about how he came to rule and his efforts to legitimize his reign.

Carlin provides detailed descriptions of the Persian military, its composition, tactics, and the challenges it faced. He compares the Persian army to those of other ancient civilizations and discusses the psychological aspects of ancient warfare.

The episode covers the Persian expedition against the Scythians and the subsequent Ionian Revolt, which led to Athens becoming involved in conflict with Persia. Carlin describes the famous Battle of Marathon, discussing its significance and the limitations of our historical knowledge about the event.

Throughout the podcast, Carlin reflects on the nature of ancient combat, the psychological impact on soldiers, and how cultural differences might have affected soldiers' experiences and responses to trauma. He also considers how modern perspectives might color our understanding of ancient events.

The episode concludes with a brief mention of the aftermath of Marathon and hints at future conflicts between Greece and Persia, setting the stage for the next part of the series.

Listen to the full podcast episode here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1POw9vMWcF6XXrXi1Gu0z9