1. Long ago, the land east of Mesopotamia was known as
~ Persia ~
Today we call this area . . .
IRAN

2. Greece
Egypt

3. Our story begins . . .

4. Many Israelites returned home to rebuild.
I ended the exile of the Israelites from the “Babylonian Captivity” when I conquered Mesopotamia.
Many Israelites returned home to rebuild.
People of the Jewish faith referred to me as “the anointed of the Lord”.
King Cyrus of Persia

5. (including Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and Europe)
The Persians
King Cyrus of Persia led his people in conquering land in what is today parts of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia
(including Mesopotamia, Egypt, India, and Europe)

6. Greece
Asia Minor
Mesopotamia
Colored Areas =
Persian Empire
Over Time

7. Military Techniques
The ancient Persian armies were so successful in battle, in part, because they would unleash upon their enemies a flood of flying arrows even before their opponents got close enough to begin using their spears and swords.

9. King Darius
Darius, an emperor of Persia after Cyrus, continued plans for expanding the Persian Empire.

10. divided the empire into 20 satrapies
Eventually, the Persian Empire was so large that it was difficult to control.
King Darius
divided the empire into satrapies
- each with its own local ruler (“satrap”) who also acted as tax collector and judge.
Satraps still answered to the Persian emperor however!

11. The empire was divided into satrapies

12. ~ The Royal Road ~
“The Royal Road” Today
The Persians also built hundreds of miles of dirt roads in order to connect and control their conquered lands. Food, shelter, and fresh horses were supplied at roadside stations along the way.

13. The Persian Empire maintained control:
Take Note!
Divided the large area into more manageable regions called satrapies – each satrapy ran itself, but it was still under the rule of the Persian Empire
Aided travel, trade, and communication by building The Royal Road - a long network of unpaved roads. The ancient Persians could now get from one place to another easier and quicker than before

14. Map of Persian Empire and The Royal Road
The Persian Empire was expanding westward.
Note where Greece is located.
and The Royal Road

15. Persia then set its sights on conquering Greece . . .
Ancient Greek Soldiers

16. 499 – 479 B.C.
The Persian WarS