The Persian Empire
The Persian Empire Chapter 2.4
The Persian Empire • The Persians formed one of the largest and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements. Topics and issues we will be covering this section… • Who shaped the growth and organization of the Persian Empire? • What were the main teachings of Zoroastrianism? • What were the most significant Persian achievements?
Growth and Organization • Persia under the Medes • Both Indo-European tribes
• Medes conquered Persians • Persians allowed to keep their own leaders as long as they did not rebel
Cyrus the Great • Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) • Defeated Medes in 559 BC • Expanded Persian Empire
• Freed Jews in Babylon after defeating the Chaldeans and capturing the city. • Respected by those he conquered because when he conquered a region he allowed the people to keep their own customs rather than adopting Persian ones. • Upon his death in 530 B.C. he ruled the largest empire in the world. • His son, Cambyses II became emperor after his fathers death and expanded his empire into Egypt • He was killed on his way back to Persia to stop a rebellion that was taking place and Persia was without a ruler.
Inside Story on Page 50
Growth and Organization Cont. • Darius I • Was not liked by the people and they fought to keep him off the throne. • • • •
Crushed rebellion after death of Cyrus’s son Strengthened army, empire Had a PAID army, which were trained people. Ten Thousand Immortals were hand picked for their skills and dedication (modern day Navy Seals or Green Berets) • Ceremony and ritual • Created satraps to help govern (these were governors chosen to govern regions. Like what we see in today’s society with the US and the fact we have Governors for every state in the US…why?
• Persia in Decline • Rule of Darius high point of Persian culture • Son, Xerxes, failed to conquer Greece • Last strong ruler of Persia
The Persian Empire
The Persian Army
Zoroastrianism During the reigns of Cyrus and Darius, a new religion called Zoroastrianism took hold, based on the teachings of Zoroaster.
Teachings • Ahura Mazda, source of good(World was created by him). • Ahriman, evil spirit • Dualism = world is controlled by good and evil • Free will • The Avesta
• End of time
Spread • Much of Persian Empire • Darius worshipped Ahura Mazda
• Other religions discouraged • The Greeks converted the Persians
• Zoroastrianism never completely disappeared
Persian Achievements • Blended Culture • Cyrus and Darius encouraged cultural unity • Shared culture led to peace and a blending into a single Persian Culture. • People worked together to improve empire
• Communication • Network of high quality roads • Royal Road = world’s first long highway 1,500 miles • Horseback messengers in shifts
Art and Architecture •Animals a common subject in their art. •Persepolis, monument to Persia’s glory •Greatest example of Persian architecture
City of Persepolis
Ancient Carvings
Tomb of Cyrus
The Persian Empire • The Persians formed one of the largest and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements. Topics and issues we will be covering this section… • Who shaped the growth and organization of the Persian Empire? • What were the main teachings of Zoroastrianism? • What were the most significant Persian achievements?
Growth and Organization • Persia under the Medes • Both Indo-European tribes
• Medes conquered Persians • Persians allowed to keep their own leaders as long as they did not rebel
Cyrus the Great • Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II) • Defeated Medes in 559 BC • Expanded Persian Empire
• Freed Jews in Babylon after defeating the Chaldeans and capturing the city. • Respected by those he conquered because when he conquered a region he allowed the people to keep their own customs rather than adopting Persian ones. • Upon his death in 530 B.C. he ruled the largest empire in the world. • His son, Cambyses II became emperor after his fathers death and expanded his empire into Egypt • He was killed on his way back to Persia to stop a rebellion that was taking place and Persia was without a ruler.
Inside Story on Page 50
Growth and Organization Cont. • Darius I • Was not liked by the people and they fought to keep him off the throne. • • • •
Crushed rebellion after death of Cyrus’s son Strengthened army, empire Had a PAID army, which were trained people. Ten Thousand Immortals were hand picked for their skills and dedication (modern day Navy Seals or Green Berets) • Ceremony and ritual • Created satraps to help govern (these were governors chosen to govern regions. Like what we see in today’s society with the US and the fact we have Governors for every state in the US…why?
• Persia in Decline • Rule of Darius high point of Persian culture • Son, Xerxes, failed to conquer Greece • Last strong ruler of Persia
The Persian Empire
The Persian Army
Zoroastrianism During the reigns of Cyrus and Darius, a new religion called Zoroastrianism took hold, based on the teachings of Zoroaster.
Teachings • Ahura Mazda, source of good(World was created by him). • Ahriman, evil spirit • Dualism = world is controlled by good and evil • Free will • The Avesta
• End of time
Spread • Much of Persian Empire • Darius worshipped Ahura Mazda
• Other religions discouraged • The Greeks converted the Persians
• Zoroastrianism never completely disappeared
Persian Achievements • Blended Culture • Cyrus and Darius encouraged cultural unity • Shared culture led to peace and a blending into a single Persian Culture. • People worked together to improve empire
• Communication • Network of high quality roads • Royal Road = world’s first long highway 1,500 miles • Horseback messengers in shifts
Art and Architecture •Animals a common subject in their art. •Persepolis, monument to Persia’s glory •Greatest example of Persian architecture
City of Persepolis
Ancient Carvings
Tomb of Cyrus
