The Persian Empire Cyrus the Great A tolerant

The Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great § A tolerant ruler he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions. § The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver. ” 580 – 529 B. C. E. § The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord. ” (In 537, he allowed over 40, 000 to return to Palestine).

Darius the Great • First permanent army in Persia. • First highway ever – 1500 miles! (526 – 485 B. C. E. ) § Built Persepolis. §He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s. q. mi. ) § Built a canal in Egypt. §Minted the first coins in Persia!

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E. ) § Established a tax-collecting system. § Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES. §Ruled by SATRAPS. § Built the great Royal Road system. § Established a complex postal system. §Pushed kingdom as far as Greece but could never conquer it. § Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears. ”

Ancient Persepolis

Persepolis

The People of Persepolis

Persian “Royal Road”

Persian Archers & Soldiers

Xerxes and Decline • Xerxes, Darius’s son, tried to invade Greece (as his father did) and failed (as his father did. • Served as their last strong ruler. • Conquered by Alexander the Great (a Greek, oh the irony) in c. 330 BCE.

Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6 c BCE: Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words “Tree of Life”

Extent of Zoroastrianism

You pick! Free will Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil Ahura Mazda “Holy Spirit” Ahriman “Destructive Spirit” Dualism – the belief that the world is controlled by two opposing forces, good and evil.

Zend-Avesta (The “Book of Law”) The “Sacred Fire” the force to fight evil.