1. State religion was Zoroastrianism. Religious:

2. Practiced respect and tolerance for non-Persian traditions. Not concerned with converting conquered people.

3. Art & Architecture: Royal Road connected the cities, and like the sea did for Greeks, it promoted trade.

4. Borrowed art from conquered peoples.

5. Greatest achievement; “the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.”

6. Created the first batteries (Baghdad Battery) Technology and Science:

7. Stimulated trade by introducing a uniform system of gold and silver coinage.

8. Long-distance trade due to political stability.

9. Patriarchal society.

10. social stratification Military High honor; provided with special benefits Aristocracy Priest King & Royal Family Peasants Traders Businesspersons who trade in commodities throughout the empire. Craftsmen Manuel workers with specialized skills. Peasants Farmers, either laborers or owners of small farms.

11. Zoroastrianism forbids slavery. Very little slavery in the Persian Empire.

12. Most people enjoyed freedom and basic civil rights. Specialized labor leads to greater social stratification.

13. Truth in high esteem. Telling a lie was most disgraceful things a person could do.

14. Women enjoyed social and legal freedom. Could rule if king died and prince was still a minor.

15. Rights of Women: Free to choose their spouse. Represent husband in court. Owned property. Could work and earned wages.

16. That concludes The Persian Empire. Any questions before the quiz on the next slide?