1. The first world power Chapter 7
The Empires of Persia
The first world power
Chapter 7

2. The Rise of the Persian Empires
Chapter 7 Persia
The Rise of the Persian Empires
The empires of Persia arose in the arid land of modern day Iran.
During the 6th century BCE, rulers of the province of Persia in southwestern Iran embarked on a series of conquests that results in the formation of an enormous empire.
This empire had four major dynasties:
Achaemenids ( B.C.E.)
Seleucids ( B.C.E.)
Parthians (247 B.C.E.-224 C.E.)
Sasanids ( C.E.)
Period BCE- 600CE

4. The Medes and Persians
Around 1000 BCE, the Medes and Persians migrate from central Asia to Persia (southwestern portion of modern day Iran).
They spoke Indo-European languages and shared many cultural traits with their cousins, the Aryans.
They became known for their advanced equestrian and archery skills.
By the 6th century BCE, the Medes and Persians took power as the Assyrian and Babylonian empires crumbled.

5. Cyrus
Cyrus, who reigned from BCE, was the founder of Achaemenid dynasty.
During his reign he expanded his empire from modern day Turkey to Afghanistan.
Within 20 years, Cyrus went from minor regional king to ruler of an empire that stretched from India to the borders of Egypt.
His successors expanded the empire to include Egypt and the Indus valley.
Died defending the northern border from nomadic raiders

6. Darius
Darius was the greatest of the Achaemenid emperors and reigned from BCE.
By the late 6th century, Darius presided over an empire stretching some 1,865 miles from the Indus River to the Aegean Sea to the Nile River.
With a population 35 million, Darius’ realm was by far the largest empire the world had yet seen. He ruled over 70 distinct ethnic groups.
Darius made his capitol at Persepolis and throughout the Achaemenid dynasty it was the nerve center of the Persian Empire.
Darius centralized his power in Persepolis. This centralization of power helped maintain the empire. Darius entrusted the satraps to run local districts.
Satraps reported directly to Darius

7. The Satrapies
In order to organize the empire, the Achaemenid’s divided their empire into 23 satrapies or administrative and taxation districts.
These were governed by rulers call satraps.
Most of the satraps were Persian, but some were local.
In order for the empire to work, the Persians issued coin currency, built roads (many paved), and created a courier service. All of this increased communication within the very large Persian empire.
This bureaucratic administration system lessened the rebellion of local provinces. Think of it similar to governors working for the president

9. Persian Technology
In order for the empire to work, the Persians issued coin currency
Built roads (8000 miles) many of the roads were paved. Called the Persian Royal Road
Created a courier service to send messages quickly through out the empire
All of this increased communication and trade within the very large Persian empire. These improvements led to stability and increased trade.
Qanat: System of underground canals
Avoided excessive loss to evaporation
Increased agriculture

10. Decline of the Achaemenid Empire
Both Cyrus and Darius were tolerant rulers over their multiethnic empire… Xerxes not so much.
The Persian Wars ( ) greatly weakened the empire.
The Ionian Greeks expelled, killed and rebelled against the satraps
Darius struggled to contain the Greek rebellions but eventually did
Successors like Xerxes were unable to keep rebellious Greeks in line
Persians defeated at Marathon (490 B.C.E.), retreated. The rest of the conflict were small skirmishes with no decisive victory for either side. This war weakened Persia
Alexander the Great conquers the Achaemenid empire ( B.C.E.)
48,000 men, better armed and well trained
Alexander burned Persepolis
Alexander retained the administrative bureaucracy

11. Empire after Alexander
Chapter 7 Persia
Empire after Alexander
Alexander the Great dies suddenly
Generals divide empire, best part goes to Seleucus, former commander of Alexander’s army (r B.C.E.)
Named Selucid empire
Kept Achaemenid structure
Parthians developed a strong empire in Iran
Strong cavalry allowed for great defense of empire
Followed satrap government structure
Empire fell from internal problems as well as weakened by Roman attacks
Sasanids replaced Parthians in 224 CE
Recreated some of the splendor of the Achaemenid Empire
Fell to Islamic invaders in 651 CE
Persia survived through adaptation of administrative techniques by each successive empire
Period BCE- 600CE

14. Persian Society and Economy
Chapter 7 Persia
Early steppe traditions
Warriors, priests, peasants
Family/clan kinship very important
Creation of bureaucrat class with empire
Tax collectors
Record keepers
Translators
Slaves
Prisoners of war, conquered populations
Debtors
Children, spouses also sold into slavery
Principally domestic servitude
Some agricultural labor, public works
Economy
Several areas exceptionally fertile
Long-distance trade benefits from Persian road-building
Goods from India especially valued
Traded with along the Mediterranean and Asia
Period BCE- 600CE

15. Zoroastrianism
During the Classical Period in Persia, Zoroastrianism emerges from the teachings of Zarathustra.
Zarathustra left his family and home in search of wisdom.
After about 10 years of traveling he experienced a series of visions and became convinced that the supreme god named Ahura Masda (wise lord) had chosen him to serve as his prophet.
The priests of Zoroastrianism became know as magi and their holy documents were known as the Gathas.

16. Zoroastrianism Zoroastrianism introduced the concept of heaven/hell
1st monotheistic religion
In addition to Ahura Mazda, the Gathas speaks of 6 lesser deities.
Following a struggle of 12,000 years, Zarathustra believed that Ahura Mazda and the forces of good would prevail and Angra Mainyu and the principle of evil would disappear forever.
Zoroastrianism's teachings can be described as “good words, good thoughts, good deeds”.
All things were accepted as long as in moderation.

17. Influence of Zoroastrianism
Jews living in Persia during the Achaemenid times adopted several specific teachings of Zoroastrianism which later found their way into the faiths of Christianity and Islam.
Teachings such as:
An omnipotent and beneficent deity was responsible for all creation
The idea that a purely evil being worked against the creator god.
The conviction that the forces of good will ultimately prevail over the power of evil after a climatic struggle
The belief that human beings must strive to observe the highest standards.
The idea that individuals will undergo judgment after which the morally upright will experience rewards in paradise.