1. { Persian Empire

3. Location – Modern Day Iran

4. Founder of the Persians Empire  Cyrus the Great  Founder of the Achaemenid Dynasty  Conquered the Babylonians

5. {{ Ecbatana  Summer Capital of Cyrus the great Persepolis  Ceremonial Capital of the Persians  Made spectacular by Darius I. Descendant of Cyrus Capital Cities

6. Persepolis

7. Persian Columns

8. Persepolis Today

9. Managing the Empire

10. Persian Satrapies - Empire was divided into 20 sections - Each section had a Persian representative (Satrap)

11.  Total religious freedom  Preserve local customs  Allow conquered people their own leaders and trade  Maintain a fearsome army How do Control a Huge, Multi-Ethnic Empire

12.  elite force of soldiers who fought for the Achaemenid Empire  This force performed the dual roles of both Imperial Guard and standing army during the Persian Empire  wicker shields, short spears, swords or large daggers, bow and arrow  Always numbered 10,000 Persian Army (the Immortals)

13. Persian Army

14. Persian Religion  Zoroastrianism – State Religion of Persia  1500 BC  Founded by Zoroaster  Main God = Ahura Mazda  A priest called a  A priest called a magi

15. Zoroaster  Born Zarathustra/Zoroaster is his Greek name  Born in Iran or Afghanistan  Separates from Hinduism  Has a vision at age 30  Age 42 leaves Iran and travels to Bactria (Afghanistan)  Adopted by the king of Bactria  Zoroaster dies in his 70s  Becomes a wide spread religion by the time of the Archaemenid dynasty

17. {{ Ahura Mazda Ahriman/Angra Mainyu Zoroastrian Deities

18. Why is Zoroastrainism Important  Started the idea of a Good God vs. a Bad God  Ahura Mazda vs. Ahriman (Bad God)  The idea of a place where the wicked are punished  Shinbat Bridge

20. Zoroastrian Temple

21. Zoroastrians developed the concept of worshipping in temples, sometimes called fire temples. The temples contain an inner sanctum (pavi) or platform where a fire is maintained or placed. This is because Zoroastrians face a source of light when they pray.

22. Many Zoroastrians will hurt themselves as an act of worship