1. Unit II: Interaction in Eurasia Petra, Jordan

2. Empires in Greece, Persia, Rome Definition of Empire: The political control of one people over other, different peoples But how to control? -hegemony-foreign rule that governs with the consent of the governed -dominance-exercise of military power, with frequent resistance.

3. Persia Present-day Iran Iran derived from “Aryan” Indo-Europeans [Medes and Persians] moved into regions of later Mesopotamian empires [c. 1000 BCE] Stone relief of Medes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDiUG52ZyHQ

4. Chronology of Early Persia 1000 BCEIndo-European migrations into Central Persia 600 BCEAchaemenids united Persian tribes 521-486 BCEReign of Darius 500-479 BCEWars with Greece 334-330 BCEConquest by Alexander of Macedon

5. Persia

6. Key Achievements unifiers of the Middle East. ruled diverse peoples. hegemony through tolerance of local traditions and granting of local control. uniform standards. trade from India to Egypt. skillful leadership (bureaucracy) and diplomacy

7. The Persian Royal Road 2575 kilometers long Took 90 days to travel from one end to the other Post stations, inns, courier service “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from swift completion of appointed rounds” Herodotus

8. Persepolis

9. Zoroastrianism Prophet: Zoroaster / Zaruthustra [c. 500 BCE?] One supreme god: Ahura Mazda conflict dualism-struggle between good and evil personal ethics and salvation Opponent of Ahura Mazda  Angra Mainyu There are few adherents of Zoroastrianism today but it left many important legacies to the Judeo-Christian tradition Modern image of Zoroaster

10. “King Darius says: By the grace of Ahuramazda am I king; Ahuramazda has granted me the kingdom.” Jamsheed Choksy, THE SOLAR DIVINITY MITHRA ON LEFT, THE SASANIAN KING ARDASHIR II IN CENTER, AND THE CREATOR GOD AHURA MAZDA ON RIGHT, TAQ-E-BOSTAN, IRAN (300-400)