The rise and fall of the Persian Empires EMPIRES of PERSIA The rise and fall of the Persian Empires

The Achaemenid Empire Medes and Persians migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E. Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with Aryans Challenged the Assyrian and Babylonian empires

Cyrus the Achaemenid (the shepherd) (reigned 558-530 B.C.E.) Became king of Persian tribes in 558 B.C.E. All of Iran under his control by 548 B.C.E. Established a vast empire from India to borders of Egypt

Cyrus’s son Cambyses reigned 530-522 B.C.E.

Darius (reigned 521-486B.C.E.) largest extent of empire; population 35 million Diverse empire, seventy ethnic groups New capital at Persepolis 520 B.C.E.

Achaemenid administration 23 satrapies (Persian governors), appointed by central government Local officials were from local population Satraps’ power was checked by military officers and imperial spies Replaced irregular tribute payments with formal taxes

Standardization of coins and laws Communication systems: Persian Royal Road and postal stations

Xerxes (reigned 486-465B.C.E.) Retreated from the policy of cultural toleration Caused ill will and rebellions among the peoples in Mesopotamia and Egypt

Decline and fall of Achaemenid Empire Commonwealth: law, justice, administration led to political stability and public works

The Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.) Rebellion of Ionian Greeks Persian rulers failed to put down the rebellion, sparred for 150 years

Alexander of Macedon invaded Persia in 334 B.C.E. Battle of Gaugamela, the end of the Achaemenid empire , in 331 B.C.E. Alexander burns the city of Persepolis

The Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanid Empires Seleucus inherited most of Achaemenid when Alexander died Retained the Achaemenid system of administration Opposition from native Persians; lost control over northern India and Iran

The Parthians, based in Iran, extend to Mesopotamia Power of Parthian was heavy cavalry Mithradates I established an empire through conquests from 171-155 B.C.E. Parthian government followed the example of Achaemenid administration

The Sasanids, from Persia, toppled Parthians; ruled 224-651 C.E. Merchants brought in various crops from India and China Shapur I (239-272 C.E.); buffer states with Romans; standoff with Kushan In 651 C.E., empire incorporated into Islamic empire

Imperial Society and Economy Social development in classical Persia Nomadic society, importance of family and clan relationships Imperial bureaucrats Imperial administration called for educated bureaucrats Shared power and influence with warriors and clan leaders

Free classes were bulk of Persian society In the city: artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants In the countryside: peasants built underground canals Large class of slaves who were prisoners of war and debtors

Economical foundations of classical Persia Agriculture was economic foundation Trade from India to Egypt Standardized coins, good trade routes, markets, and banks Specialization of production in different regions

Religions of salvation in classical Persian society Zorathustra and his faith Zoroastrianism Emerged from the teachings of Zarathustra

Visions: supreme god (Ahura Mazda) made Zarathustra prophet The Gathas, Zarathustra’s hymns in honor of deities Teachings preserved later in writing, by magi Compilation of holy scriptures, Avesta, under Sasanid dynasty

Zoroastrian teachings Ahura Mazda as a supreme deity, with 6 lesser deities Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda (good) and Angra Mainyu (evil) Heavenly paradise and hellish realm as reward and punishment The material world as a blessing Moral formula: good words, good thoughts, good deeds

Popularity of Zoroastrianism grows from sixth century B.C.E. Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites Darius regarded Ahura Mazda as supreme God Most popular in Iran; followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and more

Religions of salvation in a cosmopolitan society Suffering of Zoroastrian community during Alexander’s invasion Officially sponsored Zoroastrianism during the Sasanid empire The Zoroastrian’ difficulties Islamic conquerors toppled the Sasanid empire, seventh century B.C.E. Some Zoroastrians fled to India (Parsis) Most Zoroastrians converted to Islam Some Zoroastrians still exist in modern-day Iran

Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism, Christianity, and later Islam Buddhism, Christianity, Manichaeism, Judaism also in Persia