Get out your homework! Reminders: Quest Next Class (Wed 11/20) Study Guide due next class (Wed 11/20)
PERSIAN EMPIRE The largest empire in the world at the time It stretched from The Nile to the Indus River Persia: Present-day Iran Never able to conquer Greece
Persia is in Modern Day Iran
The Persian Empire
How did Persia govern its Empire?
Persian Rulers Treated conquered people with tolerance Developed an imperial bureaucracy Built an extensive road system Zoroastrianism (religion) Darius
Tolerance Persian rulers allowed the people they conquered to practice their own religions and follow their own customs. Palace of Darius
Bureaucracy A system of managing government through departments run by appointed officials Darius divided his empire into provinces each run by a governor (satrap) It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they should be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. (NASB) Dan. 6:1-2 . The satraps had responsibility for managing the different provinces and various levels of government throughout the kingdom. They had responsibility for collecting taxes, sending recruits to Babylon for the army, and suppressing crime.
Persian Road System Great Royal Road United the empire (provided a means of communication, trade, and governmental control).
Zoroastrianism Early monotheistic religion founded by Zoroaster Belief in two opposing forces: good and evil, light and darkness, heaven and hell. 1500 to 1200 BC
Zoroaster, 6c BCE: Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6F6llHQfvBA “Tree of Life”
Extent of Zoroastrianism
Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil Ahura Mazda “Holy Spirit” Ahriman “Destructive Spirit”
Ahura Mazda: God of truth and light
Zend-Avesta (The “Book of Law”) The “Sacred Fire” the force to fight evil.
Cyrus, Darius, Persepolis http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yZlqgtdQoHo
Cyrus the Great 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 to return to Palestine). 580 – 529 B. C. E.
Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Built Persepolis. He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.) Built a canal in Egypt.
Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Established a tax-collecting system. Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES. Built the great Royal Road system. Established a complex postal system. Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”
Ancient Persepolis
Persepolis
The People of Persepolis
Persian “Royal Road”