1. Maps by David P. Barrett, used by permission
Old Testament
Biblical Backgrounds
The Persian Empire
Maps by David P. Barrett, used by permission

3. Medes Persians Babylon
Babylon

4. Belshazzar

5. Cyaxeres Teispes Amyhia Astyages Cyrus I Mandane Cambyses Arsames
Medes
Persians
Cyaxeres
Teispes
Amyhia
Astyages
Cyrus I
Ariramnes
Mandane
Cambyses
Arsames
Cyrus II
(the Great)
Hystaspes

6. Daniel 5:31 says that Darius the Mede received the kingdom at about the age of sixty-two
Darius the Mede was an early governor of Babylon under Cyrus
Darius the Mede was another name for Cyrus

7. 2 Chronicles 36:22
Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia - in order to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah - the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he sent a proclamation throughout his kingdom...
Cyrus
the
Great

8. Discovered in 1879 by Rassam
Cyrus Prism
Discovered in 1879 by Rassam

9. What happened to the Ark?
Destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar
Carried to Egypt
Hidden for protection

11. Temple construction halted Murder of Smerdis Invasion of Egypt
Cambyses
Temple construction halted
Murder of Smerdis
Invasion of Egypt
Established himself as the beginning of the27th Dynasty
Attempted invasion of Carthage

12. Tomb of Cambyses

13. Cyaxeres Teispes Amyhia Astyages Cyrus I Mandane Cambyses Arsames
Medes
Persians
Cyaxeres
Teispes
Amyhia
Astyages
Cyrus I
Ariramnes
Mandane
Cambyses
Arsames
Cyrus II
(the Great)
Hystaspes
Darius
Hystaspes
Cambyses
Smerdis

14. Darius the Great Capture of Babylon Reorganization of government
Completion of temple
Palaces at Susa & Persepolis

15. Persepolis

21. Photo by Todd Ulbrich
Louvre

22. The Empire of Darius

23. These are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed courses with all speed (Herodotus 8:96).

24. Behistun Inscription
Persia
1842

25. Sir Henry Rawlinson
George Cameron made further copies in 1946

26. Old Persian Elamite Akkadian Behistun Inscription
Photo by Kendall Down, 1967

27. Scythians

28. Ionian
Revolt

33. (486-464 B.C.) Xerxes Rebellion in the Empire Invasion of Greece Egypt
Babylon
Invasion of Greece

42. (486-464 B.C.) Xerxes Rebellion in the Empire Invasion of Greece
Esther
Assassinated

43. Tomb of Xerxes

44. Darius
Xerxes
Artaxerxes I

45. Artaxerxes I Reigned 465 – 424 B.C.
New policy toward Greeks: Financially support enemies of Athens.
Gave sanctuary to Themistocles, Athenian hero of Salamis, after he was ostracized by Athens.
Ezra’s commission.
Nehemiah’s commission

48. Killed by Darius II Darius Xerxes Artaxerxes I Secydianus Darius II
Xerxes II
Killed by Darius II
Murdered by Secydianus after a 45 day reign

49. Elephantine

51. Elephantine Papyri Written in Aramaic Papyrus -- written on both sides
Official letter of petition -- request to rebuild place of worship
Written 407 B.C.
Discovered January 1, 1907

52. Peloponnesian War Athens vs. Sparta Sea vs. land war Spartan victory
B.C.
Athens vs. Sparta
Sea vs. land war
Spartan victory

53. Darius Xerxes Artaxerxes I Secydianus Darius II Xerxes II Cyrus III
Artaerxes II
(Xenophon)

54. 
Cunaxa

55. Darius II Cyrus III Artaerxes II Artaxerxes III (Ochos) (Bagoas) Arses
(Xenophon)
Artaxerxes III
(Ochos)
(Bagoas)
Arses
Darius III

56. Alexander the Great

57. Discuss the three types of freedom:
Group Project
Discuss the three types of freedom:
National Freedom
Individual Freedom
Political Freedom
Which types were found in Persia? Which types were found in Greece? Which types were found in Israel?