The Persian Empire The Achaemenid Empire Key Questions

The Persian Empire The Achaemenid Empire

Key Questions • Who were the leaders of the Achaemenid Empire? • Why were these leaders significant?

The ACHAEMENID Empire • The first Persian Empire = 533 BC • Persians led by CYRUS THE GREAT overthrow the Medes. • Cyrus becomes master and names the dynasty the ACHAEMENID Empire.

Some of the leaders of the ACHAEMENID Empire include: • Cyrus the Great • Darius I • Xerxes I

Activity – Personality profiles Create a Personality Profile for each of the Kings. Each profile must include a picture of the leader, an outline of who he was and when he ruled, and a list of his greatest achievements. You should also write a short paragraph explaining why the leader was significant.

Cyrus the Great (580 -529 BC) • Father of the Iranian nation • First world ruler to be referred to as “The Great” • Founded the Achaemenid Empire • He was remembered as a humane leader who allowed his conquered subjects to worship their own religions

Cyrus the Great – (580 -529 BC) • His empire included Babylonia, Palestine, Syria and Asia Minor

Cyrus the Great (580 -529 BC) • During Cyrus’ reign the people of Persia built beautiful temples and established trade routes such as the Silk Road in order to make travel safer and easier • Cyrus died in 529 BC

Darius I (522 -486 BC) • Strong and wise ruler • Tolerant towards other religions and cultures, promoted learning, agriculture and the construction of highways

Darius I – (522 -486 BC) • He built the great palace city of Persepolis

Darius I (522 -486 BC) • He followed an expansionist policy • He invaded Greece which led to his defeat in the Battle of Marathon • He died in 486 BC

Xerxes I (485 -465 BC) • Xerxes (“ZERK-ses”) • Son of Darius the Great • Suppressed revolts in Egypt and Babylon

Xerxes I (485 -465 BC) • He took away from Babylon the golden statue of Bel-Marduk and this made him very unpopular with the people of Babylon and led to two rebellions • Determined to defeat Greece. • The Greek army defeated the Persians, with the Persian fleet almost destroyed at the Battle of Salamis

Xerxes I (485 -465 BC) • In the Battle at Plataea in 479 BC the Persians were finally driven from Greek soil • This forced the ACHAEMENID Empire into decline • Xerxes was assassinated in 465 BC

Which Leader… • Founded the Achaemenid Empire? • Destroyed the golden statue of Bel-Marduk? • Was a humane leader? • Was defeated at the Battle of Marathon? • Was assassinated?