Empire: Persians and Greeks Mrs. Hoff

What is an Empire? A group of nations or peoples ruled over by an emperor, empress, or other powerful sovereign or government: usually a territory of greater extent than a kingdom.

Common features of an empire All empires controlled large areas and populations. All empires were brought together by conquest and funded in part by taking wealth from conquered peoples.

Common features of an empire All empires stimulated the exchange of ideas, cultures, and values among the people they conquered. All empires tried to make people more loyal to the leaders than local identities and loyalties. All empires ultimately collapsed.

Differences to look for: Some empires tried to rule through local elites; others sought to rule with more centralized power structures. Some empires are new; some draw on older traditions. Some last for longer periods than others. Some assimilated conquered peoples more quickly and completely than others.

Persian Empire 500-330 BCE

Persian Empire In 500 BCE, it was the largest and most impressive empire. Persians originated in present day Iran. Copied old system of government from former Mesopotamian civilizations. Much larger and more splendid than past civilizations.

Persian Empire Famous leaders: Cyrus and Darius I expanded the empire from Egypt to India Diverse empire with population of around 35 million people.

Persepolis

Persian Empire Kingship King rules by the will of Ahura Mazda, the god. Absolute monarchy (means the king had unlimited power)

Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil Ahura Mazda “Holy Spirit” Ahriman “Destructive Spirit”

Persian Empire To keep the empire together: Violent punishments by the king Effective administration system Satraps governed the empire’s 23 provinces Local officials answer to satraps System of imperial spies

Persian Empire Respect for non-Persian cultural traditions Cyrus allowed Jews to return from Babylonian exile and rebuild Jerusalem temple Persians adopted foreign customs readily

Persian Empire Standardized coinage, predictable taxes Immense wealth and power Encouraged communication and commerce Royal road 1,700 miles across the empire Mail service for elites

Greek Greece begins 750 BCE, lasts about 400 years. Distinct culture Population 2-3million people Mountainous, causes development of hundreds of city- states and small settlements City-state: sovereign state consisting of an autonomous city with its dependencies Fiercely independent, frequent conflicts

Greek Shared a common language and common gods Between 750 and 500 BCE colonized around the Mediterranean basin and Black Sea area. Most distinctive feature: popular participation in politics! Held the first Olympics 776 BCE

Greek Politics Equality of all citizens (men) before the law Extent of citizenship varied depending on time and city Early Greek history: only wealthy and well-born were citizens. Gradually expanded to middle- and lower-class men Important to have the ability to fight for the city-state

Greek Tyrants (dictators) emerged in many areas, supported by the poorer classes against the rich. Sparta gave most political authority to the Council of Elders Athens was different, more democratic

Greek Athens: Intense class conflict led to reforms by Solon in 594BCE. Rights of citizens continued to expand over time. By 450 BCE, holders of public office were chosen by lottery and paid Assembly was open to all citizens and the center of political life

Greek Empire Differences between Athenian and modern democracy Direct democracy, not representative Women, slaves, and foreigners were all excluded.

Consequences of the Greco-Persian Wars Persians: embarrassing, but the failure of the Persian invasion of Greece had very little impact on the Persian Empire

Consequences of the Greco-Persian Wars Greeks: Defeating the Persians was a source of enormous pride for the Greeks. Confirmed their view that Greek political systems were superior, Persian despotism was inferior. Despot means a king or other ruler with absolute, unlimited power.

Consequences of the Greco-Persian Wars More men become citizens in Athens. Rowers in the navy insisted on full citizenship. Golden Age of Greek culture Parthenon built Greek theatre born Socrates begins his career as a philosopher.

Socrates

Consequences of the Greco-Persian Wars Leads to a civil war, known as the Peloponnesian War when Athens tries to dominate the Greek city-states. Eventually leads to Alexander the Great (from Macedonia) conquering Greece.