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22 Fig. 5 priests legitimized his rule over Egypt by granting him the title "Offspring of Ra." The ancient world was now united under one king, chosen by the "great god of truth and light" and accepted by the gods of Egypt. Neither men nor gods had cause left to war with each other. Peace on Earth! But peace failed to last. Across the Mediterranean Sea. the Greeks were increasing in wealth, power, and ambitions. Asia Mi- nor, the Aegean Sea. and the eastern Mediterranean saw increasing clashes, both local and international. In 490 B.C., Darius I at- tempted to invade Greece and was defeated at Marathon; nine years later Xerxes I was defeated at Salamis. A century and a half later Alexander of Macedonia crossed over from Europe to launch a campaign of conquest that saw the blood of men flow in all the ancient lands as far as India. Was he carrying out a "trustworthy command" of the gods? On THE WARS OF GODS AND MEN