13. Study Questions Copy

In Book 3, he suggests that the King must be active in expanding his rule, to both demonstrate his worthiness to rule and to wear down his enemies so they could not plot against him.

His analysis may be correct, but he is reporting a private conversation to which no-one would have had access. Therefore, the conversation is fictitious.

He appointed his half-brother Artaphernes as satrap at Sardis.

It seems unlikely. Control over the Greek city states of Asiatic Greece would have inevitably led to interest in the Greek mainland and southern Italy/Sicily (replete with resources), even if Athens and Sparta had not intervened in Persian affairs.