Ancient Iran & Greece

The Persian Empire (Modern Iran)• Limited natural resources / rich

in mineral resources (G,S,C,T) • Cyrus the Great & Darius I =

Expanded Empire• Persian Style of Govt.

– Satraps (Royal Relation)– Province paid tribute / Limited

supply of G & S– King = Lawgiver / People =

Maintain Traditions

• Zoroastrianism =– Major Monotheistic Religion– Dualistic (Good v. Evil)– Influenced Judaism & Christianity

The Persian Empire (1000-500 BCE)• Achievements– Spread knowledge of iron

metallurgy– Long distance trade route

linked India, SW Asia, & Egypt (roads & couriers)

– Held together empire despite diverse peoples b/c of tolerance

– Relied on local leaders– Trade & war with Greece =

artistic & philosophical exchange

Ancient Greek City-States• Polis = City State & its rural

territory• Athens & Sparta =

– Maritime Power v. Agricultural/ Military Power

– Trireme & Hoplite– Reliance on Slave Labor– Athens shifts from aristocracy &

oligarchy toward democracy

• Overpopulation leads to Colonization & Trade, New Ideas, Spread of Greek Identity/Philosophy

• Major Conflicts– Persian Wars (490-437 BCE)– Peloponnesian Wars (431-404)

Culture of Classical Greece• Common Culture

– Olympic Games (776 BCE)– Religious Beliefs /

Ceremonies– Slaves / Gender Inequality

• Greek Religion = Sky gods who represented forces of nature w/human characteristics

• Philosophy & Thought– Socrates = Oral Culture– Plato = Written Culture– Aristotle & Herodotus =

Research / Recording

Alexander & the Hellenistic Age• Weakened City States =

Macedonian Conquest– Philip of Macedonia– Alexander the Great

• Alexander’s Empire built upon remnants of the conquered Persian Empire

• Hellenistic Age (323-30 BCE)– Upon Alexander’s death, his

Empire divided (map p. 126)– Blending of Greek & Persian

Culture (art, science, arch.)– Stability = Long Distance Trade

and migration