The Ancient Near East The Persian Empire Preview

The Ancient Near East The Persian Empire Preview • Main Idea / Reading Focus • Growth and Organization • Map: The Persian Empire • Quick Facts: Cyrus and Darius • Zoroastrianism • Faces of History: Zoroaster • Persian Achievements Section 4

The Ancient Near East The Persian Empire Preview, continued • Visual Study Guide / Quick Facts • Video: The Impact of Judaism throughout the World Section 4

The Ancient Near East Section 4 The Persian Empire Main Idea The Persians formed one of the largest and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements. Reading Focus Who shaped the growth and organization of the Persian Empire? • What were the main teachings of Zoroastrianism? • What were the most significant Persian achievements?

Section 4 The Ancient Near East Growth and Organization Persia under the Medes • Both Indo-European tribes • Medes conquered Persians • Persians allowed to keep their own leaders as long as they did not rebel Darius I • Crushed rebellion after death of Cyrus’s son • Strengthened army, empire • Ceremony and ritual • Created satraps to help govern Cyrus the Great • • Defeated Medes in 559 BC Expanded Persian Empire Freed Jews in Babylon Respected by those he conquered Persia in Decline • Rule of Darius high point of Persian culture • Son, Xerxes, failed to conquer Greece • Last strong ruler of Persia

The Ancient Near East Section 4

The Ancient Near East Section 4

Section 4 The Ancient Near East Analyze How did Persia grow and change under Cyrus and Darius? Answer(s): expanded rapidly under Cyrus; Darius also expanded the empire, organized empire into satraps, minted coins, built roads

Section 4 The Ancient Near East Zoroastrianism During the reigns of Cyrus and Darius, a new religion called Zoroastrianism took hold, based on the teachings of Zoroaster. Teachings Spread • Ahura Mazda, source of good • Much of Persian Empire • Ahriman, evil spirit • Darius worshipped Ahura Mazda • Dualism = good and evil • Free will • The Avesta • End of time • Other religions discouraged • The Greeks converted the Persians • Zoroastrianism never completely disappeared

The Ancient Near East Section 4

Section 4 The Ancient Near East Analyze What does Zoroastrianism teach about good and evil? Answer(s): that the world is controlled by dueling forces of good and evil; those who live good lives will be rewarded; the wicked will be punished

The Ancient Near East Persian Achievements Blended Culture • Cyrus and Darius encouraged cultural unity • Shared culture led to peace • People worked together to improve empire Communication • Network of high quality roads • Royal Road = world’s first long highway • Horseback messengers in shifts Art and Architecture • Animals a common subject • Persepolis, monument to Persia’s glory • Greatest example of Persian architecture Section 4

Section 4 The Ancient Near East Analyze How did Persian roads make communication faster and easier? Answer(s): roads linked cities; messengers could travel across empire in a few days

The Ancient Near East Section 4

Section 4 The Ancient Near East Video The Impact of Judaism throughout the World Click above to play the video.