1. Foundation of an Empire
Indo-Europeans settled in Iran – Became Persians
Settled by the Fertile Crescent - brought chariots, iron technology and Sanskrit
550 B.C. - Cyrus the Great defeated nearby kingdoms
Lands had copper, lead, gold, silver, fertile soil
World payed little attention to the Persians until Cyrus began his path of conquest
–Governed with tolerance toward conquered peoples
Honored local/religious customs – let people dress, worship as they pleased

3. Persian Rule
Cyrus died and the empire fell into chaos
Son Cambyses was a hostile ruler – unpopular - executed
Military generals and royals/nobles fought for the throne
521 B.C.: Darius takes over - Expands empire to India and Europe
Used the Immortals – Elite force of 10,000 soldiers for conquest
Made sure they were well equipped and had best equipment available
Focused on setting up an administration that was effective to govern the Persian Empire
Large amount of territory, different peoples and cultures, possibilities of rebellion

4. Cyrus the Great
Darius

6. Persian Rule (Cont.) Empire = divided into 20 districts
Satraps – local governors – ruled the districts
Paid tribute to the king
Satraps collected tribute from the people – made sure it was sent to the king
Sent officials to make sure the satraps were ruling correctly (“Kings Eyes and Ears”)
Satraps sometimes tried to rebel against the king, so the officials had to go around and keep the satraps in check
Sometimes they had to go undercover and spy

7. Persian Rule (Cont.)
Most people conquered by Persians accepted their rule
People were allowed to practice their religion and keep many of their old laws
Darius knew that there would be peace in the Persian Empire if the people were satisfied
Question of whether to be loved or feared: Persian leaders try to be loved
Women were allowed to own/manage property and shops
Upper-class women often wore veils to show they were
Still faced limitations – couldn’t be government officials/bureacrats/not many queens

8. Zoroastrianism Zarathustra –Persian Prophet (Modern Day Iran)
Unclear dating on his birth – Some Zoroastrians claim 6000 BCE! Others think 600 BCE; modern historians date it to between BCE
His teachings became the main religion in the Persian Empire until the 7th century CE (Islam replaced it)
One day he Experienced a vision sent to him by the Supreme God Ahura Mazda
Told him to spread his teachings to the people
Zoroastrianism

10. Ahura Mazda – The Only God
A single god Ahura Mazda who is supreme.
He created the world from nothing
Also created powerful spirits to help him create the rest of the universe – called Amesha Spentas

11. Amesha Spentas

12. Holy Scriptures
Avesta – Holy Book of Zarathustra’s words – they are kept in a series of five hymns called the Gathas
The Gathas are sacred poetry (hymns/songs) directed towards:
worship of the One God,
understanding of righteousness and order in the world
promotion of social justice
and individual choice between good and evil.

13. Cosmic Dualism
Ahura Mazda has an enemy - Angra Mainyu: Evil spirit of violence and death
The world struggles every day between good and evil
Every day humans choose whether to follow Ahura Mazda or Angra Mainyu

14. The Afterlife
After death, a person's Urvan (soul) is allowed three days to meditate before being judged/sent to afterlife
The Soul is judged by three spirits: Mithra, Sraosha and Rashnu
If the good actions outweigh the bad, then the soul is taken into Heaven. Otherwise, the soul is led to Hell.

15. Connections with Other Monotheistic Religions
Judaism, Christianity, and Islam all have:
One creator god
Good vs. evil
Light vs. dark
Final judgment in which good triumphs