The lecture about the Persians, in explaining causes for Persian decline, emphasized the a. the terrible devastations of plague that rocked the empire in the fourth century BCE b. problems created by Persia's system of constitutional checks and balances upon royal authority c. the role of palace intrigue and court factionalism, in which royal ministers, wives, concubines, eunuchs, and sons intrigued and fought for position and power d. a great streak of earthquakes that rocked Persian lands, presenting Persian kings with political challenges far beyond their abilities

The lecture about the Persians, in explaining causes for Persian decline, emphasized the a. the terrible devastations of plague that rocked the empire in the fourth century BCE b. problems created by Persia's system of constitutional checks and balances upon royal authority c. the role of palace intrigue and court factionalism, in which royal ministers, wives, concubines, eunuchs, and sons intrigued and fought for position and power d. a great streak of earthquakes that rocked Persian lands, presenting Persian kings with political challenges far beyond their abilities