1. The Persian Empire Preview Main Idea / Reading Focus
Growth and Organization
Map: The Persian Empire
Quick Facts: Cyrus and Darius
Zoroastrianism
Faces of History: Zoroaster
Persian Achievements

2. The Persian Empire Preview, continued Visual Study Guide / Quick Facts
Video: The Impact of Judaism throughout the World

3. The Persian Empire Main Idea Reading Focus
The Persians formed one of the largest and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements.
Reading Focus
Who shaped the growth and organization of the Persian Empire?
What were the main teachings of Zoroastrianism?
What were the most significant Persian achievements?

4. Growth and Organization
Persia under the Medes
Both Indo-European tribes
Medes conquered Persians
Persians allowed to keep their own leaders as long as they did not rebel
Cyrus the Great
Defeated Medes in 559 BC
Expanded Persian Empire
Freed Jews in Babylon
Respected by those he conquered
Darius I
Crushed rebellion after death of Cyrus’s son
Strengthened army, empire
Ceremony and ritual
Created satraps to help govern
Persia in Decline
Rule of Darius high point of Persian culture
Son, Xerxes, failed to conquer Greece
Last strong ruler of Persia

7. How did Persia grow and change under Cyrus and Darius?
Analyze
How did Persia grow and change under Cyrus and Darius?
Answer(s): expanded rapidly under Cyrus; Darius also expanded the empire, organized empire into satraps, minted coins, built roads

8. Zoroastrianism
During the reigns of Cyrus and Darius, a new religion called Zoroastrianism took hold, based on the teachings of Zoroaster.
Ahura Mazda, source of good
Ahriman, evil spirit
Dualism = good and evil
Free will
The Avesta
End of time
Teachings
Much of Persian Empire
Darius worshipped Ahura Mazda
Other religions discouraged
The Greeks converted the Persians
Zoroastrianism never completely disappeared
Spread

10. What does Zoroastrianism teach about good and evil?
Analyze
What does Zoroastrianism teach about good and evil?
Answer(s): that the world is controlled by dueling forces of good and evil; those who live good lives will be rewarded; the wicked will be punished

11. Persian Achievements Blended Culture
Cyrus and Darius encouraged cultural unity
Shared culture led to peace
People worked together to improve empire
Communication
Network of high quality roads
Royal Road = world’s first long highway
Horseback messengers in shifts
Art and Architecture
Animals a common subject
Persepolis, monument to Persia’s glory
Greatest example of Persian architecture

12. How did Persian roads make communication faster and easier?
Analyze
How did Persian roads make communication faster and easier?
Answer(s): roads linked cities; messengers could travel across empire in a few days

14. Video The Impact of Judaism throughout the World
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