Aim: What were the distinguishing features of the Persian Empire?

What differentiates them? Monism Dualism

Zoroastrianism  Judaism  Christianity  Islam

What do they share? Monism/Dualism Classic Polytheism: Many local or regional gods Explains our place in the world Protection from famine or war; brings success Helps unite the people of a town or empire – something in common “Axial Age” religions: Consider the problem of individual wrong-doing Propose that people can act morally and provide guidance to do so Well-suited to needs of large complex societies and their governments

Why should an individual behave correctly? Religion = “The Carrot” (You will get something) Law = “The Stick” (You will be punished)

Growth of the Assyrian Empire

Ethnicities/Tribes of the Assyrian Empire

Assyrian Deportation & Resettlement

The Persian Empire was B-I-I-I-I-I-G

Cyrus the Great

Persepolis

Darius the Great

PERSIAN SATRAPIES

“Royal Road” system

Alexander the Great

The Persian Empire

Methods of the Persian Empire King as a model of virtues and as the representative of the national god – Ahura Mazda Road System allows movement of goods and armies Administrative Units: Satraps Each organized around a previous kingdom Each with its own capital Each ruled by a Persian aristocrat w/ help of local elites Each with its own archives, tax collection, bureaucracy Local autonomy Honored local elites; adopted traditions, titles, gods Public documents in local languages Little “cultural imperialism”