The Persian Empire Lasts for 200 years

The Rise of Persia In Ancient Iran Indo-Europeans migrated there around 1000 BC Fertile farmland Wealth of minerals (copper, lead, gold, silver) Medes and Persians (eventually Persians dominated the Medes)

Cyrus the Great Starting in 550 BC Persian King Cyrus conquers neighboring lands Military genius Governs with tolerance toward conquered peoples

Cyrus the Great Honors local customs, including religious ones Allows Jews to return to Israel to rebuild temple of Jerusalem Jews considered him one of God’s anointed ones

“I am Cyrus, king of the world, the great king, the powerful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters of the world”

Cyrus the Great In 1994, a replica of a bas relief depicting him was erected in a park in Sydney, Australia. Monument is intended as a symbol for multiculturalism, and to express the coexistence and peaceful cohabitation of people from different cultures and backgrounds.

Persian Soldiers

Persia under Cyrus

Death of Cyrus the Great Dies in battle in 530 BC “O man, I am Cyrus the son of Cambyses. I established the Persian Empire and was king of Asia. Do not begrudge me my memorial.”

How did Cyrus compare to Sennacherib? Both led conquests, but Cyrus treated conquered with respect.

Why did Cyrus pray at the temples of the conquered? Inspired loyalty from local people as shown in quotation from Ezra

Cyrus in The Bible “This is the word of Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord the God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he himself has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. To every man of his people now among you I say, God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord the God of Israel, the God whose city is Jersusalm.” – Ezra 1:2-3

What are some reasons for a powerful ruler to show tolerance or compassion? Moral duty, inspires respect and obedience, may require fewer soldiers to enforce rule

Cambyses Rules Cyrus’ Son Takes over when Cyrus dies in 530 BC Conquers Egypt but rules unwisely by ordering the images of Egyptian gods to be burned Dies after ruling for 8 years

Darius After Cambyses dies, Darius seizes control Noble of the ruling dynasty Member of the king’s bodyguard Seized throne with help of the Ten Thousand Immortals in 522 BC Spent three years putting down revolts

Ten Thousand Immortals Core of the army Professional soldiers Elite infantry force Never allowed to fall below 10,000

What reasons may explain the revolts under Darius? Defense of religion and culture; death of Cambyses made empire unstable Do you think the revolts were justified?

How Darius Controlled the Empire Expands empire to India but could not conquer Greece Divides empire into 20 areas of local administration Appoints satraps-governors to rule each area Inspectors used as “Kings Eyes & Ears” Builds Royal Road to make communication within empire easier Issues coins that can be used through the empire

Royal Road 1,677 miles Ran from Susa in Persia to Sardis in Anatolia Relay stations along the way Royal messengers could cover the length of the road in 7 days.

Royal Road

Persian Legacy Zoroaster (around 600 BC) Life is a battle ground between good and evil One god will judge us by how well we fight for good Belief in Satan and angels Influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam (Heaven, hell, final judgment)