1. Persian Empire

2. Rise of Persia Included in ancient day Iran Cyrus the Great
Prosperous farmland and a lot of minerals
Copper, lead, gold, silver
Trade with neighbors East and West
Cyrus the Great
Military and governing genius
Began conquering neighboring kingdoms in Iran
Extended rule from Indus River to Anatolia (2,000 miles)
Kindness toward conquered people
Honored culture of places he conquered

3. Under Persian rule, people had a lot of freedom
Babylon opened gates to Cyrus the Great
Allowed Jews that were deported to return to Jerusalem
Cyrus loses his life in battle

4. Persian Rule and Religion
Cambyses extended empire by gaining Egypt
Did not treat people as well as Cyrus
Cambyses dies and rebellion breaks out
Darius
Began as kings bodyguard
10,000 immortals helped seize throne for Darius
1st 3 years of reign putting down revolts
Inability to conquer Greece

5. Provinces and Satraps Darius broke empire into 20 provinces
Similar to homeland of groups of people
Still practiced same religion
Spoke their own language / followed their own laws
Installed a governor called a satraps in each province
Inspectors to check on satraps
Also appointed an army leader and tax collector
Excellent road system and use of standardized money
Royal Road – stretched 1,677 miles
Trade helped hold the empire together

6. Religion Why should so much suffering and chaos exist in the world?
Persian Prophet Zoroaster
Two spiritual armies fight for possession of a person’s soul
Ahura Mada (god of truth and light)
Ahriman (god of evil and darkness)
People judged by what side they choose
Avesta became the holy writings
People’s own choices controlled their fate