Some slides by Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY

Geography Zargos Mts. to the west, Caucasus Mts. and the Caspian Sea to the NW and north, deserts on the E and SEZargos Mts. to the west, Caucasus Mts. and the Caspian Sea to the NW and north, deserts on the E and SE High mts. at the exterior, salt deserts in the depressions, streams flowing into marshesHigh mts. at the exterior, salt deserts in the depressions, streams flowing into marshes

Never had a dense population b/c of harsh conditionsNever had a dense population b/c of harsh conditions underground irrigation chambers allowed people to move to plains and farmunderground irrigation chambers allowed people to move to plains and farm

Persian Power Medes…the 1 st to build a complex political powerMedes…the 1 st to build a complex political power –Played a major role in the Assyrian takeover of the Egyptians Cyrus united Persian tribes and over threw the monarchCyrus united Persian tribes and over threw the monarch –Placed Persians and Medians in positions of responsibility Cyrus the Great

Social Structure Males were the head of the household and had absolute authority over femalesMales were the head of the household and had absolute authority over females 3 social/occupationnal classes3 social/occupationnal classes –Warriors – owned land, hunted, fought, king was the best know of this group –Priests – (a.k.a magi) ritual specialists, supervised proper sacrifices –Peasants – village based farmers and shepherds

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.”

Ancient Persepolis

Persepolis

The People of Persepolis

Persian “Royal Road”

Persian Archers & Soldiers

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

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.