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)