The Persian EmpireWHO WERE THE PERSIANS? WHERE DID THEY ORIGINATE AND EXPAND? WHAT IS THE HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THIS CIVILIZATION?

Map of Persian Empire:

Map of Persian Empire:

Nile River

Egypt

Mesopotamia

Persian EmpireGreec

e

Geography of the Persian Empire

The Persian Empire was built upon Central Asian and Mesopotamian Civilizations The heart of this Empire was

located in what is modern-day Iran

Origins of the Persian Empire

The Persian Empire truly begins in 552 BCE—when Cyrus the Great and his armies conquer the Medes After conquering the Medes Cyrus

goes on to conquer all of Mesopotamia

Cyrus’ son Cambyses II went on to conquer much of Egypt

Origins of the Persian Empire

After Cambyses II death there was struggle for power and Darius assumed leadership

Darius established the first capital city at Susa

Darius established the Royal Road—which was a great highway that went from the capital to Sardis

The Royal Road

The Royal Road was constructed primarily for military reasons

The road allowed Persian couriers (messengers) to deliver messages throughout this large empire at a remarkably fast rate

Map of Persian Empire:

Nile River

Egypt

Mesopotamia

Persian Empire

Royal Road

Greece

Power of the Persian Empire

Under the leadership of Cyrus and Darius the Persians went on to establish the largest empire in ancient history prior to Alexander the Great

Alexander the Great went on to briefly conquer the Persians, which started the slow but gradual fall of the Empire The Persians would eventually be

completely destroyed by the Muslim conquest and Mongolians around 700 CE (AD)

Persian Contributions: Tolerance towards those they conquered

The Persians are well remembered for the tolerance they practiced towards conquered people

Unlike many other ancient empires, the Persians allowed the people they conquered to maintain their laws, customs, religions, and political structure

Persian Contributions: Tolerance towards the people they conquered

What the Persians required in return were that the conquered people paid taxes and contributed to Persian military efforts

Tolerance ensured that the conquered people would be better servants to the empire

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=514IEcgz1Q8

Persian Contributions: Imperial Bureaucracy

The Persians developed the world’s first imperial bureaucracyA large group of non-elected

individuals responsible for running and administering governmental policies

Persian Religion: Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism (today known as Parsiism) is a dualistic religion Belief in two gods—A god that is good (Ahura

Mazda) and a god that is evil (Aura Mainyu)

The religion developed around 500 BC by the Persian prophet Zoroaster

The religion beliefs that the world is divided between good and evil and it is up to humanity to determine who they support and who will reign supreme

Beliefs of Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism believes in a judgement day, angels and demons, a messiah, baptism, and bodily resurrectionMany scholars believe this

religion had a strong influence on Judaism, Christianity, and Islam