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Unit II

Unit II. The Formation of Classical Societies. Empires of Persia -. CH. 7. The Persian Empire. Four major dynasties Achaemenids (558-330 BCE) Seleucids (323-83 BCE) Parthians (247-224 BCE) Sasanids (224 BCE -651 CE) Borrowed heavily from Mesopotamian cultures

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Unit II

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  1. Unit II The Formation of Classical Societies

  2. Empires of Persia - CH. 7

  3. The Persian Empire • Four major dynasties • Achaemenids (558-330 BCE) • Seleucids (323-83 BCE) • Parthians (247-224 BCE) • Sasanids (224 BCE -651 CE) • Borrowed heavily from Mesopotamian cultures • Established political standards adopted by many others • Huge trade network also allowed for massive cultural diffusion

  4. The Achaemenid Empire • Early civilization under the influence of Babylonian and Assyrian empires • Persians were Indo-Europeans – originally org. by the clan system and chiefdoms • Nomadic horse culture – military prowess • Took advantage of the weakening Mesopotamian cultures to establish their own empire in the 500’s BCE

  5. Cyrus the Great (r. 558-530 BCE) • Expanded kingdom from Iran to include much of central Asia from Anatolia (Turkey) to Bactria (Afghanistan) • Died in 530 BCE before being able to invade Egypt • Cyrus Cylinder – seen by some as first declaration f of human rights

  6. Darius (r. 521-486 BCE) • Conquered east to the Indus river • Conquered west to Macedonia • 35 million people/70+ languages – largest empire of the time • Necessitated administrative systems that would be used for centuries • Est capital @ Persepolis – huge and grand capital

  7. Achaemenid Gov’t • “Federal” system of gov’t – central and local gov’t • Empire divided into 23 satrapies (provinces) • Each province had a satrap (governor) • Lower levels of gov’t filled by local people, even if not Persian • Separate military commanders and tax collectors to keep satraps “honest” • Network of spies • Taxation • Regular taxes rather than tribute • Issued coins • Codified law – preserved local traditions as well • Infrastructure • Royal Road – 1600 miles, 8,000 miles of other roads • Postal system & network of couriers • Underground canals

  8. Decline of the Acheamenid Dynasty • Failure to follow policies of tolerance • 500 BCE Ionian (Greek) city states rebelled • Persian Wars (500-479 BCE) • Darius attempted to conquer Greece –defeated 490 BCE • Xerxes (r. 486-465 BCE) • Tried to force Persian culture throughout empire • Defeated 480 BCE by the Greeks • Alexander the Great – defeated Persian empire in 331 BCE

  9. Later Persian Empires • The Seleucids (323-83 BCE) • Created by one of Alexander’s generals – Seleucus • Retained Persian administration, roads, and taxes • Frequent problems with revolts – seen as foreign conquerors • Empire became increasingly smaller until defeated by the Romans in 83 BCE)

  10. The Parthians (247 BCE-224 CE) • Developed in Iran • Conquered Seleucid dynasty • Retained customs from nomadic times • Cavalry – developed heavy cavalry • Retained traditional Persian gov’t styles, but leaned towards a clan system • Built capital near modern day Baghdad • Faced challenges from Rome • Ended by internal rebellion

  11. The Sasanids (224 CE-651CE) • Overthrew Parthians • Set up buffer states between Persia and Rome • Fought with surrounding empires – smaller than other Persian territories • Brought to an end by the growing Islamic empire

  12. Imperial Society • Imperial state req. a huge class of bureaucrats • Displaced nobility in gov’t positions • Importance of extended family/clan system • Free classes - merchants, artisans & low-level civil servants • Large servile (servant) class to provide for priests, nobles, & gov’t officials • Free peasants - farming and maintenance of qunat • Slavery • POW’s, rebels • Debt slavery • Private and state owned slaves

  13. Persian Economy • Ag based • Mix of very fertile regions w/ more arid • Varied diets • Standardized coins • Massive long distance trade • Huge variety of goods • Vast cultural diffusion

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