1. Read 10 Min

2. While Assyrians used military force to control their large empire, Persians based their empire on tolerance and diplomacy.
Located east of Fertile crescent, South of Caspian Sea and North of Persian Gulf. Modern Day Iran, settled about 1000 bc
TPS What purpose or reasons do you believe Persians moved to Iran?
Fertile land, minerals such as copper, lead, gold , silver, lapis lazuli, and thriving trade
Two powers first emerge, Medes and Persians
No one cared about Persians until 550 bc, King Cyrus, Persian military genius, begins to conquer other nations.
Would span Persian empire from Indus River Valley to Anatolia
More than military dominance, method of governing remembered the most. Kindness towards all conquered people. Prevented his soldiers from looting/burning all conquered cities. Honored local customs/religions. Instead of destroying local temples, Cyrus would kneel and pray.
Rise of Persia

3. Partner Read – King Cyrus captures Babylon
Cyrus allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem (driven out by Babylonians), rebuilt their cities/temples and were forever grateful for Cyrus
Eventually killed fighting nomadic invaders on the eastern border

4. Cyrus son Cambyses took over in 530 b. c
Cyrus son Cambyses took over in 530 b.c., expanded empire to Egypt but failed to follow fathers example. Scorned Egyptian religion/burned images of Egyptian Gods. Within 8 years passed away and widespread rebellion broke out across the empire.
Darius, once the king’s bodyguard, takes over rule. Won by leading an elite group of Persian soldiers called, the Ten Thousand immortals. Spent first 3 years expanding empire, establishing efficient administration and putting down revolts.
Would build an empire over 2,500 miles large. Only failure could not conquer Greece.
Look at the map on p. 101, answer these questions
What part of the ancient world did Cambyses add to the Persian Empire?
Compare the map of the PERSIAN Empire with that of the Assyrian Empire on page 96, what areas did the Persians rule that the Assyrians did not?
Compare the size of the empire under each of the three rulers.
Identify the modern countries that include land within the territory ruled by Darius.
Persian Rule

5. Darius Administration
Darius was a real genius at administration, divided empire into 20 provinces. What is a province? LL why would this make a difference (help or hurt) his empire?
People in provinces still practiced their own religion, lived by their own laws, spoke their own language.
Darius still ruled with absolute power, installed a governor who ruled locally called a satrap in each province. Also appointed military leader/tax collector and sent an inspector known as “king’s eyes and ears”
Created excellent system of roads to allow quick communication. Most famous royal road stretched 1,677 miles. Also manufactured coins for standardization among all provinces.
LL what are the advantages of standard coin system?
No longer had to weigh and measure odd pieces of gold/silver to pay for things, promoted trade
Darius Administration

6. Persian Empire Venn Diagram Part A/B

7. By the time of Darius, Fertile Crescent existed for 2,500 years of famine, war, conquest. Basic question was asked “Why should so much suffering and chaos exist in the world?” Persian prophet Zoroaster (600 B.C.) offered an answer.
Believed earth was a battle ground for good and evil, each person must participate in that battle. Monotheistic, their God Aura Mazda will judge everyone according to how well he or she fought the battle for good.
Zoroastrianism has similarities to Judaism, Christianity, and Islam such as the concept of Satan and a belief in Angels. Became the religion of the Persian empire
Persian empire brought political order to southwest Asia, respect for other cultures preserved those cultures for the future.
Finish Learning Packet with partner/group
Persian Legacy