1. World History I PowerPoint Presentation
The Persian Empire
World History I
PowerPoint Presentation

2. The Rise of Persia The Assyrian Empire was overthrown in 612 BC
Persia began to conquer other local kingdoms
The Persians become prosperous through the trade of minerals and precious metals like copper, lead, gold, and silver.

3. Cyrus the Great
In 550 BC Cyrus began to conquer several neighboring kingdoms.
Cyrus was a military genius and ruled with kindness, giving people in his empire a level of religious tolerance.
Cyrus allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem, ending their slavery in Babylon.
Under Cyrus’ rule the empire stretched over 2000 miles from India to Anatolia.
Cyrus died in 530 BC leaving his son to take charge.

4. Cambyses’ Rule
Cyrus’s son took the throne and continued to expand the empire.
He expanded the borders of Persia to include the land of Egypt.
He did not share his father’s kindness and religious tolerance and persecuted the Egyptian faith
He died 8 years after taking the throne leaving the Persian Empire weak and fragile.

5. Darius I Darius seizes the throne in 522
He spends the first years of his reign putting down revolts
Darius appoints satraps, or local governors, that are in charge of the military and tax collection.
He also expands the empire to include modern day Afghanistan, Pakistan, and parts of India.
His only failure was the inability to conquer Greece (Persian Wars)
Darius also builds roads that expedite communication and trade
He borrows the concept of coined money from the Lydians and trade flourishes

6. Zoroaster Persian prophet who lived around 600 BC Key Teachings
The Earth is a battleground between good and evil
Belief in one god named Ahura Mazda
Everyone will be judged based on how well they fought for good
Legacies
Religion is still practiced today in parts of Iran and India
Traces of religion can be found in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam
Concept of Satan
Angels

7. Items for Mastery Students should know and understand the following:
People-
Cyrus
Darius
Zoroaster
Places and terms
Susa
Satraps
Royal Roads