AP World History Period 2 Organization and Reorganization

AP World History Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies, c. 600 B. C. E. to 600 C. E. NOTE: Period 2 aligns with chapters 7 -12 of Traditions and Encounters

Period Two Overview • 600 B. C. E. to 600 C. E. – Commonly called the “Classical” period • Four “global” patterns emerge: 1. Sophisticated governments develop 2. Interregional trade networks develop 3. Social structures create inequality 4. Belief systems that still exist today emerge

Period Two Overview • Three major themes of Period Two: 1. Similarities, differences, and uniqueness of the imperial governments of Persia, India, China, Greece and Rome, Mesoamerica, and the Andean region.

Period Two Overview 2. Emergence of trade and communication networks with peoples in other regions 3. Development and codification (organizing, writing down, solidifying of rules) of religious and cultural traditions

The Empires of Persia Chapter 7

Persian Empires • Modern-day Iran • 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. Sassanids (224 – 651 C. E. )

Achaemenids • Migration of Medes and Persians from central Asia – Indo-Europeans – Assyrian and Babylonians weakening • Cyrus the Great founded the dynasty (r. 558 -530 B. C. E. ) • Darius the Great – Darius considered the greatest of Achaemenid rulers – Built capital of Persepolis

Achaemenids • The empire of Cyrus and Darius:

Achaemenids • Persepolis

Achaemenids

Achaemenids • Darius centralized administration to manage the large empire 1. Divided empire into districts called Satrapies – Network of spies called “kings eyes and ears”

Achaemenids 2. Standardized currency (coins) for collection of taxes

Achaemenids 3. Built a massive road system – Persian Royal Road • 1600 miles – partially paved

Achaemenids 4. Developed a courier system (postal service) The Persian Courier: "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night shall stay the Persian Courier from his appointed rounds. " - Herodotus

Achaemenids 5. Began to standardize laws across empire – Did not impose strict laws on his subjects

Achaemenids • Major technological development was the Qanats – System of underground canals – minimized evaporation – Supported agriculture

Achaemenids • Cyrus and Darius were very tolerant rulers – Allowed different cultures to keep own institutions – Rebuilt and allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem

Achaemenids • Maintained a strong army to protect empire – Alfalfa and horses

Achaemenids • Declined under rule of Xerxes • Defeated by Greeks in Persian Wars – Battle of Marathon (490 B. C. E. ) • Conquered by Alexander the Great – 330 B. C. E.

Cyrus the Great Darius the Great Xerxes

Seleucid and Parthian Empires • Controlled Persia in years after Achaemenids • Brought down by internal rebellions and foreign invaders – Wars with Roman Empire

Sasanid Empire • Final Persian dynasty – claimed descent from Achaemenids – Continued wars with Rome (west) and Kush (east) • Finally defeated by Arab (Islamic) conquest – 651 CE – Persian culture absorbed into Islamic culture

Persian Society • Several classes of social structure: 1. Bureaucrats – Government workers 2. Free class – Artisans, merchants, priests, land-owning peasants 3. Slaves – Prisoners of war and those with debts

Persian Economy • Very fertile agricultural areas • Long distance trade between India and Egypt – Indian goods highly valued

Persian Religion • Most influential of religions was Zoroastrianism – Popular in region of Iran – Influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam • Based on teaching of Zarathustra • One supreme god – Ahura Mazda – Six lesser gods

Persian Religion • Popularized under rule of Darius • Declined under Seleucid and Parthian, but revival during Sasanid period • Magi (priests) preserved the teachings in the Gathas • Declined dramatically after the beginnings of Islam