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Today’s Agenda

Learn about the rise and fall of the Persian Empire, from Cyrus the Great to the Sasanids, their administration, wars with Greece, and impact on society and the economy.

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Today’s Agenda

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  1. Today’s Agenda • Lecture: Persians/ Poster Presentations • HIPPO for homework • Description of Persian King and Queen from Book of Esther

  2. Objectives • Key Concepts 2.1, 2.2, 2.3

  3. THE PERSIANS THE HEIGHT OF SOUTHWEST ASIA’S CLASSICAL SOCIETIES

  4. THE ACHAEMENID EMPIRE • Persians and Medes are Iranians, related to Indo-Europeans • The Medes • Migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E. • Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with the Aryans • Persians were one of the tribes of Medes • Cyrus the Great (reigned 558-530 B.C.E.) • A tough, wily leader, military strategist • Became the king of the Persians in 558 B.C.E., all Medes in 548 BCE • Conquered Lydia, Chaldean Empires • Established vast empire stretching from India to Mediterranean • Viewed favorably in the Old Testament: allowed Jews to return home • Tomb in Pasargadae, Iran

  5. O man, whoever thou art, from wheresoever thou cometh, for I know you shall come, I am Cyrus, who founded the Persian Empire.Grudge me not, therefore, this little earth that covers my body.

  6. Cambyses, son of Cyrus (re. 530-522 B.C.E.) • Conquered Egypt in 525 • Darius (re. 521-486 B.C.E.) • A young kinsman of Cyrus • Built the largest empire in world history to that time: conquered Indus Valley • Ruled more than 70 ethnic groups • Built new capital at Persepolis, 520 B.C.E.

  7. ADMINISTRATION • Divided the empire into 23 satrapies • Satraps (governors) • Appointed by the central government • Local officials were drawn from local peoples • Local policies included self-government, toleration • Satraps' power • Represent Emperor, maintain defense, collect taxes • Checked by military officers and "imperial spies“ • Checked by Zoroastrianism, codes of honor, fear of Emperor • Replaced irregular tribute payments with formal taxes • Military: largest in history until Romans, Chinese • Common levies from each province • Persian cavalry; Persian Immortals: elite shock troops • Mercenaries included Greeks • Standardization of coins and laws • Communication systems • Persian Royal Road links Susa, in Persia to Lydia in Asia Minor • Postal stations with postal relay riders

  8. THE PERSIAN EMPIRE

  9. PERSEPOLIS

  10. THE WARS WITH GREECE • The Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.) • Ionian Greeks rebelled • Greek free city states sent aid to rebels • Persian rulers put down rebellion • Darius invaded Greece to punish Greeks • Battle of Marathon • Did not live long enough to finish job • Xerxes (reigned 486-465 B.C.E.) • Retreated from the policy of cultural toleration • Caused ill will and rebellions among subject peoples • Battle of Thermopylae, Persians won • Battle of Salamis, Greek victory at sea

  11. ALEXANDER AND HIS HEIRS • Alexander of Macedon • Invaded Persia in 334 B.C.E. • Battle of Gaugamela, ended Achaemenid empire, 331 B.C.E. • Alexander burned the city of Persepolis, conquered whole empire • The Diadochi • Successor states to Alexander • Divided his empire between them • The Seleucids • Inherited the largest part of the former Achaemenid empire • Retained the Achaemenid system of administration • Met opposition from native Persians • Lost control over northern India and Iran

  12. SUCCESSORS TO PERSIA • The Parthians • Overthrew Seleucids in 238 BCE • Based in Iran, extended to Mesopotamia • Retained some traditions of nomadic people • Formidable power of Parthian heavy cavalry because of alfalfa diet of horses • Established a mighty empire through East SW Asia by conquests • Portrayed themselves as restorers of the Persian tradition • Followed the example of the Achaemenids in administration • Clan leaders as satraps: potential threats for central government • Opposed expanding Roman empire, 1st century C.E. • Internal rebellion brought it down in the early 3rd century C.E. • The Sasanids • From Persia, claimed direct descent from the Achaemenids • Toppled the Parthians in 224 C.E., new capital at Ctesiphon • Government stronger, better organized, more absolute than Parthian • Traded throughout Arabia, SW Asia, Indian Ocean, Central Asia • Devout Zoroastrians much opposed to early spread of Christianity • Battled the Kushan Empire in the east • Battled the Roman and Byzantine empires in the west, 3rd century C.E. • In 651 C.E., the empire conquered by Arabs

  13. IMPERIAL SOCIETY, ECONOMY • Social Development in Classical Persia • Nomadic character of early Persian society • Similar to the Aryans in India • Importance of family and clan relationships • Imperial bureaucrats • Needed educated bureaucrats • Shared power with warriors and clan leaders • Free classes • In the city: artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants • In the countryside: peasants - building underground canals (qanat) • Slaves in both cities and countryside • Economic Foundations of Classical Persia • Agriculture was the economic foundation • Main crops: Barley and wheat • Supplemental crops: peas, lentils, mustard, garlic, onions, cucumber • Large agricultural surplus • Trade • Commercial zone from India to Egypt • Political stability promoted growth of trade • Standardized coins (Gold Darics were first in world), good trade routes • Specialization of production in different regions

  14. PERSIAN RELIGION • Zarathustra and his faith • Earliest Persian religion resembled that of the Aryans • Zoroastrianism, emerged from teachings of Zarathustra • The Gathas • Zoroastrian teachings, transmitted orally, many perished • Preserved later in writing, by magi • Compilation of the holy scriptures, ZendAvesta, under Sasanid dynasty • Zarathustra's own writing survived, known as Gathas • Zoroastrian teachings • Ahura Mazda as a supreme deity, with six lesser deities • Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda and AngraMainyu (Ahriman, Shaitan) • Heavenly paradise and hellish realm as reward and punishment • The material world as a blessing • Moral formula: good words, good thoughts, good deeds • Popularity of Zoroastrianism • Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites • Darius regarded Ahura Mazda as supreme God • The faith was most popular in Iran • Sizable followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and other regions

  15. RELIGIONS OF SALVATION • Zoroastrian community suffered during Alexander's invasion • Zoroastrianism was the official religion during Sasanid rule • The Zoroastrians' difficulties • Extreme rivalries with Christianity (Orthodox, Monophysites) • Arabs conquered Sasanid empire, seventh century C.E. • Some Zoroastrians fled to India • Remaining Zoroastrians converted to Islam • Few faithful Zoroastrians still exist in modern day Iran • Other faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, and Manichaeism • Influence of Zoroastrians • Influence on Jewish religion: belief in future reward and punishment • Influence on Christianity: concepts of heaven and hell • Later influenced Islam; one of Muhammad’s protected faiths

  16. For Zend Avesta HIPPO • Yazatas=“Worthy of worship/praise”, angels • Daevas=demons • Karshvares=7 Spheres of earth • Yatus=Wizards, black magic practicioners • Pairikas=beautiful enchantresses • Amesha-Spentas=divine entities, “divine sparks”, lesser deities of Ahura Mazda

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