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Military Empires. Chapter 7. The Persians. 7-3. Introduction. A. Originally part of the Aryans (cattle herders from Asia) B. Separated about 2000 B.C. & settled in the land between the Persian Gulf & the Caspian Sea (thus becoming the Persians) C. This region is now Iran
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Military Empires Chapter 7
The Persians 7-3
Introduction • A. Originally part of the Aryans (cattle herders from Asia) • B. Separated about 2000 B.C. & settled in the land between the Persian Gulf & the Caspian Sea (thus becoming the Persians) • C. This region is now Iran • D. Divided their country into large farms • E. Depended on streams from the mountains for water – they dug tunnels from the springs to the fields to water their farms
I. Army & Empire • A. King Cyrus formed an army to conquer new places • B. This army grew until it was in the thousands • C. Best fighters were called Immortals • 1. always stayed above 10,000 members • 2. led the army into battle • D. Their empire eventually spread from Egypt to India
E. Mild rulers • 1. subjects kept their own language, religion, & laws • 2. ruled by fairness not fear • 3. subjects all paid taxes & traded goods (willingly) • F. Darius • 1. one of strongest kings • 2. built a monument to honor his victories in Persepolis
II. Government Officials • A. All spoke Aramaic – language used by Middle Eastern merchants • B. King chose a governor, secretary, & general for each of the 20 provinces in the empire • 1. Collected taxes (gold, silver, sheep, horses, wheat, & spices) • C. Inspectors • 1. “Eyes & Ears of the King”…made surprise visits • D. Judges • 1. enforced the laws
III. Family Life • A. Houses • 1. pointed roofs & porches facing the sun • 2. poor families had 1 room; noble families had houses with 1 room for women/children, 1 room for men • B. Families • 1. large…father was in charge • 2. poor children worked with their families • 3. noble children were raised by slaves • 4. boys were trained to ride horses & draw a bow; girls were trained to run a house & raise children
IV. Religion • A. Worshiped many gods at first • B. Zoroaster (570 B.C.) • 1. only 2 gods • 2. Ahura Mazda – wise and truthful; created everything good • 3. Ahriman – evil; created everything bad • 4. said humans had to decide who they followed; they would either enjoy happiness or be punished after death
V. Trade • A. Thought they should only be warriors, farmers, or shepherds • B. They left trade to those they conquered (thought it led to corruption) • C. Improved and expanded the Assyrian roads for the traders • D. Opened a caravan route to China to receive silk • E. Spread the idea of using coins for money instead of trading goods