The Persian Empires Chapter 7 Notes The Persian

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The Persian Empire(s) Chapter 7 Notes

The Persian Empire(s) Chapter 7 Notes

The Persian Empire(s) • Modern-day Iran • Contemporaries with later Mesopotamians • 4 Empires:

The Persian Empire(s) • Modern-day Iran • Contemporaries with later Mesopotamians • 4 Empires: – Achaemenid • Interrupted by Alexander the Great – Seleucid – Parthian – Sasanid

Early Settlers in Iran • Indo-Europeans called Medes and Persians migrated in to Iran

Early Settlers in Iran • Indo-Europeans called Medes and Persians migrated in to Iran around 1000 BCE. • Originally associated with Babylonians and Assyrians • Similar culture to Aryans (I-E who migrated into India in chapter 4) • Mostly pastoral, some agriculture • Organized in clans • Horses and archery – military strength

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) • First leader – Cyrus the Great • Named for

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) • First leader – Cyrus the Great • Named for Cyrus’ clan • 20 years to conquer empire from India to Egypt • Died in battle in 530 BCE – tomb still stands

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) • Empire lasted after Cyrus’s death – Cambyses – Darius

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) • Empire lasted after Cyrus’s death – Cambyses – Darius (greatest emperor…much expansion) – Xerxes (war with Greece) – Tomb at Pasargadae

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) Almost 1900 miles x 900 miles……… 35 million people………. largest

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) Almost 1900 miles x 900 miles……… 35 million people………. largest empire ever seen to date

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) How did they control such a vast territory? • Challenge

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) How did they control such a vast territory? • Challenge = Communication • Answer = – Thousands of miles of roads – Persian Royal Road (Ephesus to the Heart of Iran – Roadside lodging for caravans – Safety police along roads – Postal network…from end to end only took 2 weeks

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) How did they control such a vast territory? • Challenge

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) How did they control such a vast territory? • Challenge = Maintaining Political Control • Answer = – Regional administration – Satraps were appointed – Local officials held all other posts – Military oversight of satraps – “Eyes and Ears of the King”

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) How did they control such a vast territory? • Challenge

Achaemenids (558 -330 BCE) How did they control such a vast territory? • Challenge = Variations/Differences • Answer = – Regular tax levy – Standardized coins – Codified laws throughout empire – Respect for conquered peoples • Religions, traditions, Jewish temple

End of Achaemenid Period • Conflict with Greece over Ionian Greeks living in Asia

End of Achaemenid Period • Conflict with Greece over Ionian Greeks living in Asia Minor in the Persian Empire • Persian Wars (Greece vs. Persia) 500 -479 BCE – Greeks managed to fight off further advance form Persia – Greece too disunited to pose real threat to Persia

Interruption in Persia… Alexander the Great Macedonia Invaded Persia in 334 BCE Sophisticated military

Interruption in Persia… Alexander the Great Macedonia Invaded Persia in 334 BCE Sophisticated military Achaeminid Empire ended in 331 BCE • Followed Persian lead in governing…kept administrative centers, respect for local tradition • Died in 323 BCE…generals fought over land. • •

Seleucids (305 -83 BCE) Named for Seleucus (general to Alexander) Kept Achaemenid traditions and

Seleucids (305 -83 BCE) Named for Seleucus (general to Alexander) Kept Achaemenid traditions and tactics New cities, more trade Resistance from native Persians to foreign rule (particularly from Parthians) • Later period, ruled only part of original empire • Eventually ended with Roman conquest in 83 BCE • •

Parthians ( 247 BCE- 224 CE) • • • Overlapped with Seleucids “Restorers of

Parthians ( 247 BCE- 224 CE) • • • Overlapped with Seleucids “Restorers of Persian tradition” and “home rule” Much less centralized Pressure from Rome in the west Ended with internal rebellion in 224 CE

Sassanids (224 - 651 CE) • Extensive trade • Continual pressure from Rome on

Sassanids (224 - 651 CE) • Extensive trade • Continual pressure from Rome on the west and Kush on the east…financially draining • Ended when conquered by Arab muslims…became part of expanding Islamic empire

Social Institutions in Persia • Many administrative officials needed – led to educated class

Social Institutions in Persia • Many administrative officials needed – led to educated class of bureaucrats • Specialized work force – artisan, professionals • Increased distance between upper and lower classes • A LOT of slavery – POWs and debtors • Free residents could move and marry at will…urbanization

Economics in Persia • Agriculture (barley and wheat…other crops introduced from foreign trader) •

Economics in Persia • Agriculture (barley and wheat…other crops introduced from foreign trader) • Surplus to support military and administration • Standardized coins – first in Lydia in 640 BCE • Long-distance trade – land sea

Religion in Persia • First similar to Aryans (also I-E people) • Introduction of

Religion in Persia • First similar to Aryans (also I-E people) • Introduction of Zoroastrianism – Founder = Zarathrustra – Supreme deity = Ahura Mazda – Most followers converted to Islam after conquered…only a few thousand left in Iran • Later effects on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam – Omnipotent and good god – Evil in conflict with good – Ethics and morals – Judgement after death