Iran, India, and Inner Asia to 200 AD

The Elamites

The Iranians

• Western Aryans• Worship of Ahura Mazda• Zoroaster and Zoroastrianism (1100-900

BC)– The Prophet Zoraster and The Gathas– The Avesta– Moral Reform and Monotheism

The Persian Empire (550-330 BC)

Persia

• Cyrus the Great (559-530 BC)• Darius I (522-486 BC) and the Greeks• The Achaemenid State

– Shahansha, “King of Kings”, Priest-Kings– System of Satrapies and Professional Army– Use of Money – Flourishing Economy

Mauryan Empire (321-185 BC)

Mauryan Empire

• Chandragupta Maurya (321-297 BC)• Ashoka Maurya (272-232 BC)

– Major Conqueror Sickened by War– Champion of Buddhism– But Empire too big

Mauryan State

• Centralized government• Hiearchical territory governments• Centralized Taxes--land and trade• Leaves a legacy of roads, cities, and trade.

Consolidation of Indian Civilization (200 BC - 300 AD)

• Many small states• Mauryan trade network links to world

survive• Greek and Hindu Mix produces realist art• Modern Hinduism Emerges

Rise of Mahayana

• Buddhist sects emphasizing Compassion : Mahayana

• Idea of Boddhisatvas• Devotional Religious Practice• Pure Land schools• Use of mantras and mysticism

The Selucids

Steppe Peoples

• Parthians (247 BC - 233 AD)• Scythians (circa 130 BC)