The Persian Empire

Jewish History Bellwork What does the term Diaspora mean? Which group destroyed the Second Temple, leading to 2,000 years of Jewish Diaspora?

Jewish History Bellwork What does the term Diaspora mean? Dispersion of any people from their original homeland, specifically of Jewish peoples Which group destroyed the Second Temple, leading to 2,000 years of Jewish Diaspora? The Romans

Objective WWBT: Introduce the major leaders and accomplishments of the Persian Empire

The Persian Empire

Interactive Notebook 9/28/2016 Persian General Info This will be one page

Persian Empire Background Cyrus the Great Darius the Great The Persians

Persian Empire Background Also known as the Achaemenid Empire Would occupy the arid area between Mesopotamia and the nomadic tribes of central Asia. Indo-European ethnic groups organized into clans who became loosely connected to Mesopotamian overloads. Medes and Persians began to appear in the region east of Mesopotamia about 1300 B.C.E., bringing with them the use of iron.

Persian Empire Background Capitalized on weakening Assyrian and Babylonian empires Cyrus (r. 558-530 BCE) founder of dynasty “Cyrus the Shepherd” Peak under Darius (r. 521-486 BCE) Ruled Indus to the Aegean Capital Persepolis

Persian Empire Background Four major dynasties Achaemenids (558-330 BCE) Seleucids (323-283 BCE) Parthians (247 BCE-224 CE) Sasanids (224-651 CE)

Cyrus the Great 580 – 529 B. C. E. A tolerant ruler Empire stretched from Northern Mesopotamia, Syria, Canaan, Phoenician cities, Lydia, Greek city-states in Asia Minor A tolerant ruler He allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions. The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.” The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537, he allowed over 40,000 Jews to return to Palestine from Babylon). 580 – 529 B. C. E.

Iranian artists rendition of Cyrus the Great Tomb of Cyrus the Great Iranian artists rendition of Cyrus the Great

The Cyrus Cylinder, sometimes described as the "first charter of human rights"

Cyrus the Great Even though he broke the balance when he defeated the Medes, Babylonians, and Lydians of western Asia, he was seen as a liberator of Babylon He allowed local rulers to continue work under Persian direction Upon his questionable death, his son, Cambyses II, expanded Cyrus’ conquest by capturing Memphis and taking control of Egypt The empire would eventually stretch from North Africa to the Indus River.

Persian Empire

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Best organizer among Persian kings Built Persepolis. He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (empire stretched 3000 mls) He conquered Egypt & built a canal in Egypt connecting the Nile and the Red Sea.

Persepolis

Persepolis Gate of Xerxes at Persepolis

Persepolis

Persepolis

Ancient Persepolis

Persepolis

The People of Persepolis

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Established a tax-collecting system. Divided the empire into 23 provinces called SATRAPIES Ruled by a governor called satrap Built the great Royal Road system Established a complex postal system Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.” Ruled more than 35 million people

Persian “Royal Road”

The Persians Persians = very tolerant rulers Allowed conquered people to keep own languages, religions, and laws Artisans built city of Persepolis = most magnificent city in the empire

The Persians Big network of roads Allowed for trade between different peoples/cultures in the empire Allowed for easy movement of soldiers Royal Road = longest road in the empire  had stations along it so travelers could get food, water, and fresh horses

Persian “Royal Road”

Persian Archers & Soldiers

The Persians 480 BCE = Darius’s son Xerxes tried to conquer Greece to expand the empire Failed to defeat the Greeks

The Fall of the Persians Differences between Persians and its subject peoples became too difficult to overcome. Unfortunately, the tolerance for other traditions exhibited by Cyrus and Darius was not continued by Xerxes, the successor of Darius. His policies led to rebellions which culminated in the Persian Wars with Greece. A long period of warfare with Greek city-states resulted in “defeat” and decline. (Marathon & Thermoplyae) In 334 B.C.E., Macedonian conqueror Alexander the Great invaded Persia and defeated the Persians three years later. Persia was then divided into three regions ruled by Alexander’s generals until their defeat in 651 C.E.