 Indo-European Migration  East of Fertile Crescent  From Caspian Sea to Persian Gulf

 Based on tolerance and diplomacy  Supported by strong military

 Farmland  Minerals  Copper  Lead  Gold  Silver  Blue Lapis Lazuli

 Kingdoms  Dozens in the region  Cyrus the Great unite into Empire

 Size of Empire  East of Indus River  West of Anatolia Peninsula

 BC conquered Empire  Military genius  Tolerant rule  Jews-Allowed to return to Jerusalem  Old Testament Appears  Conquer Egypt

 Cyrus killed when he fought nomadic invaders  After his death, rulers had to unify the territories conquered by Cyrus

 Conquered Egypt  Scorned Egypt’s religion  Rebellion occurred upon death

 Noble in ruling class  Established organized government after revolt  Conquered large area for empire  Unable to conquer Greece

 Divided into 20 Provinces  People practiced own religion  Kept local languages and laws

 Type of government implemented  Organization of people who controlled the day to day working of the government

 Absolute power to King  Satraps-Governor of a Province  Military Leaders  Tax Collectors  Inspectors-Eyes and Ears of King

 Built System of Roads  Improved Communication  Improved Trade

 Standardized value through empire  Promoted trade  Money economy-goods for money

 1,677 miles  Ran from Susa in Persia to Sardis in Anatolia

 EARLY PERSIAN RELIGION WITH A BELIEF IN THE FORCES OF GOOD AND EVIL  Zoroaster-Persian Prophet and Religious Reformer

 Two Spirtual Armies  Ahura Mazda-Truth and Light  Ahriman-Evil and Darkness  All souls judged at end of time  Teachings similar to concepts in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam

 Cultural legacy-preserved cultures  Developed system of tolerant government based on standard laws, coinage, and road building

Persian Empire vs. Assyrian Empire