2. Page 2 Darius, the Great King He is shown here on his throne in Persepolis, the new capital city he built. In his right hand, Darius holds the royal staff; with his left, he grasps a lotus blossom with two buds, a symbol of royalty.

3. Page 3 The Assyrian and Persian Empires Cyrus the Great united the Persians and led them in a successful conquest of much of the Near East, including most of the lands of the Assyrian Empire. By the time of Darius, the Persian Empire was the largest the world had yet seen.

5. Page 5 Persian Empires Four major dynasties: 1.Achaemenids (558-330 B.C.E.) 2.Seleucids (323-83 B.C.E.) 3.Parthians (247 B.C.E.-224 C.E.) 4.Sasanids (224-651 C.E.)

7. Page 7 Achaemenid (Persian) Empire

8. Page 8 Achaemenid Empire (558-330 B.C.E.) Migration of Medes and Persians from central Asia, before 1000 B.C.E. – Capitalized on weakening Assyrian & Babylonian empires – “Cyrus the Shepherd” – Ruled Indus to the Aegean – Built capital, Persepolis

9. Page 9 Achaemenid Administration: The Satrapies Satraps Persian, but staff principally local System of spies, – Minimized possibilities of local rebellion

10. Page 10 King Darius & Zoroastrianism Iranian sovereigns were hereditary military leaders Built intricate system of roads King’s authority supported by strong military as well as state- sponsored religion: 10

11. Page 11 Zoroastrianism Prophet of Ahura Mazda (Creator God), against Angra Mainyu Life is a struggle of truth against falsehood & continues into the next (spiritual) life. Priests = Oral teachings = Zoroastrianism did not survive as major religion but continued to be practiced regularly until 7th century CE, now has ~ 2 million followers in Iran & India

12. Page 12 Technologies: Qanat –

13. Page 13 Technologies: Roads Extensive road-building: : – – Long-distance trade benefits from Persian road-building Goods from India especially valued

14. Page 14 The Royal Road

15. Page 15 Decline of the Achaemenid Empire Policy of toleration under Cyrus, Darius – Xerxes (486-465 B.C.E.) Increasing public discontent

16. Page 16 Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.) Rebellious Greeks in Ionia Peninsular Greeks join in Alexander the Great conquers the Achaemenid empire (334-331 B.C.E.)

17. Page 17 Seleucid Empire Alexander the Great dies suddenly Generals divide empire, best part goes to Seleucus (r. 305-281 B.C.E.)

18. Page 18 The Achaemenid and Seleucid Empires, 558-330 B.C.E. and 323-83 B.C.E.

19. Page 19 Parthian Empire Semi-nomadic Parthians drive Seleucus out of Iran Especially strong cavalry Fell to internal rebellion

20. Page 20 Sasanid Empire (224-651 C.E.) Claimed descent from Achaemenids Continual conflicts with Rome, Byzantium in the west, Kush in the east Persian administration and culture absorbed into local Islamic culture

21. Page 21 The Parthian & Sasanid Empires, 247 B.C.E.-651 C.E.

22. Page 22 Persian Society – – Family/clan kinship very important Creation of bureaucrat class with empire – – –

23. Page 23 Slave Class Debtors Children, spouses also sold into slavery – Some agricultural labor, public works

24. Page 24 Other Religious Groups in the Persian Empire Composition of the Talmud, ca. 500 C.E. – “Constitution of Judaism”