Student Notes Persian Empire Please make sure it is in slide show mode to view all content and visuals.

Cyrus the Great Cyrus led the Persians in a revolt to overthrow the Medes. He treated the people he conquered fairly and earned their loyalty. His army grew until it numbered in the hundreds of thousands.

Cyrus the Great Cyrus next led his troops Northwest to conquer the kingdom of Lydia. Lydia was the first culture to use coins. Persia spread this idea.

Cyrus the Great Cyrus created the largest empire on Earth. Cyrus then conquered the Chaldeans and captured the capital city of Babylon. Cyrus created the largest empire on Earth.

Cyrus the Great Honored local customs Honored local religions A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions. Honored local customs Honored local religions 580 – 530 B. C.

Cyrus the Great 538 BC - Allowed the Jews to return to their homeland, Jerusalem Considered by the Jews to be one of God’s anointed ones

Darius After the death of King Cyrus, Darius, who was a soldier in the Persian army, became king.

Darius Built Persepolis into a huge capital city He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)

Darius Provinces are political districts like states Divided Persia into provinces—made it easier to govern Provinces are political districts like states Established a tax-collecting system Began a complex postal system

The Royal Road The Royal Road was built to make trading faster and safer Silk was first brought to the West along this road