The Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great 580 – 529 B. C. E.  A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions.  The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.” he Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537, he allowed over 40,000 to return to Palestine).

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.”

Imperial Organization and Ideology From Darius on, the empire was divided into twenty provinces; a satrap who was related or connected to the royal court administered each provinceFrom Darius on, the empire was divided into twenty provinces; a satrap who was related or connected to the royal court administered each province Provinces were required to pay annual tributeProvinces were required to pay annual tribute

The central government tended to hoard so much gold and silver that these metals became scarce and more expensiveThe central government tended to hoard so much gold and silver that these metals became scarce and more expensive The provinces were crossed by a system of well-maintained roads that converged on the capital city of Susa (in southwestern Iran)The provinces were crossed by a system of well-maintained roads that converged on the capital city of Susa (in southwestern Iran)

The Persian kings developed a style of kingship in which they were held powerful masters of all their subjects and noblesThe Persian kings developed a style of kingship in which they were held powerful masters of all their subjects and nobles They held vast amounts of land.They held vast amounts of land. Kings acted as lawgivers, but allowed each people of the empire to live in accordance with its own traditionsKings acted as lawgivers, but allowed each people of the empire to live in accordance with its own traditions

Ancient Persepolis

Persepolis

The People of Persepolis

Persian “Royal Road”

Persian Archers & Soldiers

Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6c BCE : Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words “Tree of Life”

Religion of Persia The major religion of the Persian Empire was Zoroastrianism. The origins of this religion are unclearThe major religion of the Persian Empire was Zoroastrianism. The origins of this religion are unclear The most important text, the Gathas, (the hymns of Zoroastrianism), were written by Zoroaster (Zarathustra), who lived sometime between 1700 and 500 b.c.e The most important text, the Gathas, (the hymns of Zoroastrianism), were written by Zoroaster (Zarathustra), who lived sometime between 1700 and 500 b.c.e

Zoroastrianism shows the existence of a dualistic universe in which the god of good, Ahuramazda, was locked in an epic struggle against the god of evil, Angra MainyuZoroastrianism shows the existence of a dualistic universe in which the god of good, Ahuramazda, was locked in an epic struggle against the god of evil, Angra Mainyu Zoroastrianism’s dualism may have had an influence on Judaism and thus on ChristianityZoroastrianism’s dualism may have had an influence on Judaism and thus on Christianity

Extent of Zoroastrianism

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

Zend-Avesta (The “Book of Law”) The “Sacred Fire”  the force to fight evil.