1. The Persian Empire
Who were the Persians? Where did they originate and expand? What is the historical significance of this civilization?

2. Map of Persian Empire:

3. Persian Empire Map of Persian Empire: Greece Mesopotamia Egypt
Nile River

4. Geography of the Persian Empire
The Persian Empire was built upon Central Asian and Mesopotamian Civilizations
The heart of this Empire was located in what is modern-day Iran

5. Origins of the Persian Empire
The Persian Empire truly begins in 552 BCE—when Cyrus the Great and his armies conquer the Medes
After conquering the Medes Cyrus goes on to conquer all of Mesopotamia
Cyrus’ son Cambyses II went on to conquer much of Egypt

6. Origins of the Persian Empire
After Cambyses II death there was struggle for power and Darius assumed leadership
Darius established the first capital city at Susa
Darius established the Royal Road—which was a great highway that went from the capital to Sardis

7. The Royal Road
The Royal Road was constructed primarily for military reasons
The road allowed Persian couriers (messengers) to deliver messages throughout this large empire at a remarkably fast rate

8. Persian Empire Map of Persian Empire: Royal Road Greece Mesopotamia
Egypt
Nile River

9. Power of the Persian Empire
Under the leadership of Cyrus and Darius the Persians went on to establish the largest empire in ancient history prior to Alexander the Great
Alexander the Great went on to briefly conquer the Persians, which started the slow but gradual fall of the Empire
The Persians would eventually be completely destroyed by the Muslim conquest and Mongolians around 700 CE (AD)

10. Persian Contributions: Tolerance towards those they conquered
The Persians are well remembered for the tolerance they practiced towards conquered people
Unlike many other ancient empires, the Persians allowed the people they conquered to maintain their laws, customs, religions, and political structure

11. Persian Contributions: Tolerance towards the people they conquered
What the Persians required in return were that the conquered people paid taxes and contributed to Persian military efforts
Tolerance ensured that the conquered people would be better servants to the empire

12. Persian Contributions: Imperial Bureaucracy
The Persians developed the world’s first imperial bureaucracy
A large group of non-elected individuals responsible for running and administering governmental policies

13. Persian Religion: Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism (today known as Parsiism) is a dualistic religion
Belief in two gods—A god that is good (Ahura Mazda) and a god that is evil (Aura Mainyu)
The religion developed around 500 BC by the Persian prophet Zoroaster
The religion beliefs that the world is divided between good and evil and it is up to humanity to determine who they support and who will reign supreme

14. Beliefs of Zoroastrianism
Zoroastrianism believes in a judgement day, angels and demons, a messiah, baptism, and bodily resurrection
Many scholars believe this religion had a strong influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam