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 B. Families 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