1. The Persian Empire Eurasian Empires, 500 BCE- 500 CE

2. Absolute Monarchs A monarchial form of government where the monarch exercises ultimate governing authority as head of state and head of government, thus wielding political power over the sovereign state and its subjects. (princeton.edu) Define absolute monarch in your won words. List two synonyms.

3. Cyrus and Darius Famous Persian Monarchs Conquest reached from Egypt to India, encompassing in a single state some 35 million people, an immensely diverse realm, containing dozens of people, states, languages, and cultural traditions. They ruled by the will of the great Persian god Ahura Mazda. In the eyes of many, Persian monarchs fully deserved their effusive title.

4. Cyrus and Darius

5. Persians Reject Democracy Herodotus, a Greek historian, wrote The History, where he sheds light on the Persians’ rejection of democracy and Darius ascension to the Persian throne. Read the excerpt and answer the following questions: 1.What does Otanes suggests? How does he feel about monarchs? 2.What does Megabyzus suggest? How does he feel about democracy? 3.What does Darius say about oligarchy? What does he suggest as the best form of government? What are his reasons?

6. Audience Hall Persepolis, the Persian Empire’s ancient capital.