1. THE HEIGHT OF SOUTHWEST ASIA’S CLASSICAL SOCIETIES
THE PERSIANS
THE HEIGHT OF SOUTHWEST ASIA’S CLASSICAL SOCIETIES

2. THE ACHAEMENID EMPIRE
Persians and Medes are Iranians, related to Indo-Europeans
The Medes
Migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E.
Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with the Aryans
Persians were one of the tribes of Medes
Cyrus the Great (reigned B.C.E.)
A tough, wily leader, military strategist
Became the king of the Persians in 558 B.C.E., all Medes in 548 BCE
Conquered Lydia, Chaldean Empires
Established vast empire stretching from India to Mediterranean
Viewed favorably in the Old Testament: allowed Jews to return home
Cambyses, son of Cyrus (re B.C.E.)
Conquered Egypt in 525
Darius (re B.C.E.)
A young kinsman of Cyrus
Built the largest empire in world history: conquered Indus Valley
Ruled more than 70 ethnic groups
Built new capital at Persepolis, 520 B.C.E.

3. ADMINISTRATION Divided the empire into 23 satrapies
Satraps (governors)
Appointed by the central government
Local officials were drawn from local peoples
Local policies included self-government, toleration
Satraps' power
Represent Emperor, maintain defense, collect taxes
Checked by military officers and "imperial spies“
Checked by Zoroastrianism, codes of honor, fear of Emperor
Replaced irregular tribute payments with formal taxes
Military: largest in history until Romans, Chinese
Common levies from each province
Persian cavalry; Persian Immortals: elite shock troops
Mercenaries included Greeks
Standardization of coins and laws
Communication systems
Persian Royal Road links Susa (Asia Minor, Lydia to Susa, in Persia)
Postal stations with postal relay riders

4. THE PERSIAN EMPIRE

5. PERSEPOLIS

6. THE WARS WITH GREECE The Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.)
Ionian Greeks rebelled
Greek free city states sent aid to rebels
Persian rulers put down rebellion
Darius invaded Greece to punish Greeks
Won battle of Thermopolyae
Did not live long enough to finish job
Xerxes (reigned B.C.E.)
Retreated from the policy of cultural toleration
Caused ill will and rebellions among subject peoples
Lost both land and sea battles to Greeks
Battles of Marathon
Battle of Salamis

7. ALEXANDER AND HIS HEIRS
Alexander of Macedon
Invaded Persia in 334 B.C.E.
Battle of Gaugamela, ended Achaemenid empire, 331 B.C.E.
Alexander burned the city of Persepolis, conquered whole empire
The Diadoche
Successor states to Alexander
Divided his empire between them
The Seleucids
Inherited the largest part of the former Achaemenid empire
Retained the Achaemenid system of administration
Met opposition from native Persians
Lost control over northern India and Iran

8. SUCCESSORS TO PERSIA The Parthians The Sasanids
Overthrew Selecuids in 238 BCE
Based in Iran, extended to Mesopotamia
Retained some traditions of nomadic people
Formidable power of Parthian heavy cavalry because of alfalfa diet of horses
Established a mighty empire through East SW Asia by conquests
Portrayed themselves as restorers of the Persian tradition
Followed the example of the Achaemenids in administration
Clan leaders as satraps: potential threats for central government
Opposed expanding Roman empire, 1st century C.E.
Internal rebellion brought it down in the early 3rd century C.E.
The Sasanids
From Persia, claimed direct descent from the Achaemenids
Toppled the Parthians in 224 C.E., new capital at Ctesiphon
Government stronger, better organized, more absolute than Parthian
Traded throughout Arabia, SW Asia, Indian Ocean, Central Asia
Devout Zoroastrians much opposed to early spread of Christianity
Battled the Kushan Empire in the east
Battled the Roman and Byzantine empires in the west, 3rd century C.E.
In 651 C.E., the empire conquered by Arabs

9. IMPERIAL SOCIETY, ECONOMY
Social Development in Classical Persia
Nomadic character of early Persian society
Similar to the Aryans in India
Importance of family and clan relationships
Imperial bureaucrats
Needed educated bureaucrats
Shared power with warriors and clan leaders
Free classes
In the city: artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants
In the countryside: peasants - building underground canals (qanat)
Slaves in both cities and countryside
Economic Foundations of Classical Persia
Agriculture was the economic foundation
Main crops: Barley and wheat
Supplemental crops: peas, lentils, mustard, garlic, onions, cucumber
Large agricultural surplus
Trade
Commercial zone from India to Egypt
Political stability promoted growth of trade
Standardized coins (Gold Darics were first in world), good trade routes
Specialization of production in different regions

10. PERSIAN RELIGION Zarathustra and his faith The Gathas
Earliest Persian religion resembled that of the Aryans
Zoroastrianism, emerged from teachings of Zarathustra
The Gathas
Zoroastrian teachings, transmitted orally, many perished
Preserved later in writing, by magi
Compilation of the holy scriptures, Zend Avesta, under Sasanid dynasty
Zarathustra's own writing survived, known as Gathas
Zoroastrian teachings
Ahura Mazda as a supreme deity, with six lesser deities
Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (Ahriman, Shaitan)
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
Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites
Darius regarded Ahura Mazda as supreme God
The faith was most popular in Iran
Sizable followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and other regions

11. RELIGIONS OF SALVATION
Zoroastrian community suffered during Alexander's invasion
Zoroastrianism was the official religion during Sasanid rule
The Zoroastrians' difficulties
Extreme rivalries with Christianity (Orthodox, Monophysites)
Arabs conquered Sasanid empire, seventh century C.E.
Some Zoroastrians fled to India
Remaining Zoroastrians converted to Islam
Few faithful Zoroastrians still exist in modern day Iran
Other faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, and Manichaeism
Influence of Zoroastrians
Influence on Jewish religion: belief in future reward and punishment
Influence on Christianity: concepts of heaven and hell
Later influenced Islam; one of Muhammad’s protected faiths