“The Great Governors”“The Great Governors”

The Story of the Persian Empire

The Story of the Persian Empire

Persian Empire: 550-330 BC

Persian Empire: 550-330 BC

• Persian Empire• Largest of the ancient empires centered in Southwest Asia

• At its height, stretched from Greece to India• Lasted for two centuries, until they were conquered by Alexander the Great

• Persian Empire• Largest of the ancient empires centered in Southwest Asia

• At its height, stretched from Greece to India• Lasted for two centuries, until they were conquered by Alexander the Great

Persian Empire: Major Features

Persian Empire: Major Features• Political Organization

• Great King: Persian emperor, expected to be great conqueror

• Satrap System: Empire divided into regional provinces overseen by governors known as satraps

• Eyes of the King: Spy network monitors Persian officials and reports directly to Great King

• Royal Road: Road links together empire, improves trade and communication

• Significance• Unlike previous empires based solely on military force, Persians have intricate system of imperial organization

• Political Organization• Great King: Persian emperor, expected to be great conqueror

• Satrap System: Empire divided into regional provinces overseen by governors known as satraps

• Eyes of the King: Spy network monitors Persian officials and reports directly to Great King

• Royal Road: Road links together empire, improves trade and communication

• Significance• Unlike previous empires based solely on military force, Persians have intricate system of imperial organization

Major LeadersMajor Leaders

• Cyrus the Great• Created empire by unifying Persians and Medes to overthrow Babylonians

• Known for his tolerant treatment of conquered groups

• Darius I• Expanded empire to largest size

• Known for his creation of satrap system and construction of the Persian capital

• Cyrus the Great• Created empire by unifying Persians and Medes to overthrow Babylonians

• Known for his tolerant treatment of conquered groups

• Darius I• Expanded empire to largest size

• Known for his creation of satrap system and construction of the Persian capital

Cultural AchievementsCultural Achievements

• Zoroastrianism• Persian religion• Dualism: Life is struggle between forces of good vs. evil, light vs. dark

• Ideas may have influenced Judaism and Christianity

• Persian Art• Beautiful sculpted vessels

• Highly decorated architecture

• Zoroastrianism• Persian religion• Dualism: Life is struggle between forces of good vs. evil, light vs. dark

• Ideas may have influenced Judaism and Christianity

• Persian Art• Beautiful sculpted vessels

• Highly decorated architecture

Interesting FactsInteresting Facts

• The Original Pony Express?• The Persians had a messenger service with fresh horses at outposts a day’s ride apart

• Greek Historian: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the completion of their appointed rounds”

• The Original Pony Express?• The Persians had a messenger service with fresh horses at outposts a day’s ride apart

• Greek Historian: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the completion of their appointed rounds”

Coach Lerch’s Final Thoughts

Coach Lerch’s Final Thoughts

• The Persian Empire was able to successfully unite a large number of diverse peoples due to their intricate political organization and tolerance for other cultures

• The Persian Empire was able to successfully unite a large number of diverse peoples due to their intricate political organization and tolerance for other cultures

BibliographyBibliography• Main Sources

• “The Persian Empire”, Human Legacy (textbook)

• “The First Persian Empire”, The Great Empires of the Ancient World (reference book)

• “The Achaemenid Persian Empire”, Metropolitan Museum of Art (web)

• “Achaemenid Persians”, Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia, Facts on File (online database)

• Additional Images from Web• “Cyrus’ Tomb”, Syracuse University• “Darius”, Williams University

• Main Sources• “The Persian Empire”, Human Legacy (textbook)

• “The First Persian Empire”, The Great Empires of the Ancient World (reference book)

• “The Achaemenid Persian Empire”, Metropolitan Museum of Art (web)

• “Achaemenid Persians”, Encyclopedia of the Peoples of Asia, Facts on File (online database)

• Additional Images from Web• “Cyrus’ Tomb”, Syracuse University• “Darius”, Williams University