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The Empires of Persia

The Empires of Persia. 600 BCE – 600 CE. Early History & Geography. Persians – Indo European Migrants Iranian Plateau Achaemenid clan Cyrus large areas of West Asia under his control within a 20 year period son, Cambyses brought Egypt under Persian control in 525BCE

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The Empires of Persia

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  1. The Empires of Persia 600BCE – 600CE

  2. Early History & Geography • Persians – Indo European Migrants • Iranian Plateau • Achaemenidclan • Cyrus large areas of West Asia under his control within a 20 year period • son, Cambyses brought Egypt under Persian control in 525BCE • Later Darius extended empire east and west – in total nearly 2,000 miles east to west and 1000 miles north to south – with a total of 35 million people!

  3. Achaemenid Rule • Toleration of Numerous ethnic groups and languages • Bureacuracy at Persepolis • 23 Administrative and taxation districts called satrapies, with a satrap for each • Checks to satraps power – military officers, tax collectors & imperial spies • Infrastructure • Persian Royal Road 1,600 miles long • Courier Service, 11 postal stations • Standardized Coinage of Money

  4. Religion in Practice • Darius claimed divine sanction, yet tolerant of other religions • Zoroastrianism’s impact on other faiths • No missionary component • Missionary impact of other faiths: • Buddhism • Christianity • Manichaeism (blend of Zoroastrianism, Christianity & Buddhism)

  5. Religion: Zoroastrianism Founder: Zarathustra Holy Book: Avesta Priestly class: Magi Principle deity: Ahura Mazda – (six lesser gods) Doctrine: • Final judgment • Good vs evil (heaven & hell) • Enjoy pleasures of this life

  6. Economic Foundations Agriculture Foundation of economy Barley, wheat Qanat: underground canals surpluses Trade Vast commercial zone Long distance Success?: roads, coins, political stability Diffusion during Hellenistic Age Cities - banks

  7. Free Classes Artisans Low ranking civil servants Merchants Priests Landed & landless rural peasants Social Classes Imperial Bureaucrats Educated Translators Administrators Record keepers Slaves Debtors Captives of war Owned by individual, state or temple Restrictions: movement, marriage

  8. Decline of Achaemenid Rule • Xerxes (486BCE – 465BCE) retreated from previous policy of toleration of various ethnic and religious identities • Rebellions - Persian Wars (500BCE – 479BCE) • 150 yrs. Sporadic rebellions, lack of growth

  9. End of Achaemenid Rule Alexander the Great invades (334 BCE) • Outnumbered by Persians • More sophisticated military tactics • Heavier arms

  10. Later “Persian” Empires • The Seleucid – former commander of Alexander the Great’s Army. Viewed as foreigners • The Parthian – originated in Eastern Iran – restorers of Persian rule • The Sassanid – claimed direct decent from Achaemenid – conquered by Arabs

  11. What is the Persian Legacy? • MESOPOTAMIA: Applied military and administrative techniques on a much larger scale • MASSIVE IMPERIAL STATE: First to build and maintain (Achaemenid 558BCE – 330 BCE) • RELIGIOUS BELIEFS: shaped moral and religious thought that influence later development of Judaism, Christianity and Islam

  12. Lost City of Persepolis Video

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