“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