Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies Period Two 600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E. Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies

Bell Task Read page 87 in Ways of the World What was the prominent big picture trend for the first civilizations? How did each of the early civilizations end?

Civilization vs. Empire Empires States, political systems that exercise coercive power Large and aggressive states Comprised of a myriad of cultures Settled agricultural life which allows specialization Cities – as administrative centers Political system based on boundaries, not kinship Specialization Monuments Record keeping system Long distance trade Interest in science and art

Persian Empire Largest empire the world had seen 323 – Alexander the Great defeats Persia 480 – Xerxes invades Greece 550-530 – Reign of Cyrus 1000 B.C.E. – settle in southwest Iran Largest empire the world had seen Little written evidence – rely on Greeks Rely on the greeks due to little written evidence of the civ. MAP By 513 B.C.E. Persepolis

Mountains of Afghanistan Caucasus mts. Open for attacks Homeland of Iranians Zagros mts. Homeland of Persians Mountains of Afghanistan Deserts Iranian- group with similar languages and culture

How did the Persian Empire rise from its Iranian homeland? It starts with the Medes (Mada) Cyrus 550 B.C.E. Noble Warriors Priests (magi) Peasants Mada Influenced by mesopotamia Help destroy Assyrian empire (934 BC and ended in 609 BC) Had power in Southeast – over the Persians Persians Had relations with Median court – via marriages Cyrus (Persian) son of Persian chieftain and Median Princes Unites Persian tribes Overthrow Median Monarchy Allows Persians and Medians to have postions of power Keeps the framework of Median rule Little Difference between Persians and Median (dress and dialect are different) Conquest Lydia – W Anatolia – smell of his camels scared their horses All of Anatolia (Greek city states too) Southern Mesopotamia – where neo-Babylonians rule Respects local customs religion His son is crowned king of the region in a Babylonian ceremony How did the Persian Empire rise from its Iranian homeland? Achaemenids

How did the Persian Empire spread? 20 years of expansion Cyrus 530 B.C.E. – dead Son – Cambyses II in Egypt Darius I 522B.C.E Indus River Danube Son Cambyses defeated the Egyptian – dead 522 B.C.E. Explorers are sent to Libya and Nubia Greeks saw Cambyses as a cruel mad man Darius I Takes power 522 B.C.E. Medians have less power = Persian nobles get the highest ranking positions Expands east into the Indus River Valley Expands west into Europe (Danube) Creates canal linking Nil to the Red Sea Darius Greek Artist

Imperial Organization Satraps Local customs Tax/tribute Roads Who’s with the king? Xerxes Satraps – 20 provinces Governors of provinces Mirrored royal court Often hereditary Families of satrap lived in local area – learned local culture Farther away = more autonomy for satrap Tribute Each province must pay Some used but most hoarded in the capital = out of circulation = price of metal increases = difficult to meet quotas = corruption Roads maintained King Numerous wives & children Sons of Persian aristocrats – educated and hostages Noblemen Administrative officers Bodguards Courtiers and slaves Tribute in metals

Zoroastrianism Ahuramazda – wise lord Angra Mainyu – hostile spirit Zarathustra – prophet Ahurumazda – wise lord and creator Supreme diety Angra Mainyu – hostile spirit – threatens world In the end good will triumph Humans are locked in the struggle Reap rewards or punishment based on your life in afterlife If you are ethical you will have salvation in the afterlife (soul will be saved in afterlife) Heaven, Hell, Messiah and the end of time Islamic conquest in Iran in 600 C.E. diminishes religion Faravahar Guardian Angel

How did it all end? Speculate with your neighbor. Were you right? Check your textbook or use Google