1. The Rise and Fall . . . of the PERSIAN EMPIRE
Hollywood’s portrayal of King Xerxes in the movie “300.”

2. The STRUCTURE for Today’s Lecture
Empire
What is an empire?
Rise
What caused the rise of the Persian Empire?
Maintain
How did the Persians maintain their empire?
Fall
What caused the fall of the Persian Empire?

3. Before discussing the Persians, we need to ask ourselves
Before discussing the Persians, we need to ask ourselves WHAT IS AN EMPIRE?
Who are these guys?
What were they trying to do?
What were their tactics? (How did they rule?)
Ultimately, were they effective?

4. What is the difference between a city state and an empire?
Smaller in area
Vast – encompassing many lands
Usually one ethnic group with one culture
Diverse with multiple ethnic group
king
emperor
EMPIRE: An extensive group of states or countries under a single supreme authority, formerly esp. an emperor or empress.

5. Based on evidence from the map –
Describe the location of the Persian Empire.
List two reasons why an empire rose here.

6. RISE of the Persian Empire
Favorable Geography
RISE of the Persian Empire
Natural barriers for protection
Fertile river valley
Avenue for trade
Fertile river valley
Avenue for trade

7. RISE of the Persian Empire – Strong Leadership
CYRUS
Cyrus’ grave at Pasargadae

8. RISE of the Persian Empire – Culture
As people of the “steppe,” the Persians possessed excellent equestrian and archery skills.

9. “Elevator Conversation”
We’re riding an elevator together . . .
You have 10 seconds before I get off to explain to me the reasons why the Persian empire rose to power.
Practice with your partner.
Go!

10. How did the Persians MAINTAIN their empire?
Consider the following quote:
“The Achaemenids [Persians] rulers presided over more than seventy distinct ethnic groups, including peoples who lived in widely scattered regions, spoke many different languages, and observed a profusion of religious and cultural traditions.”
Turn and Talk:
Why would it be challenging for the Persians to hold their empire together?
Predict/hypothesize – What tactics could they pursue to hold the empire together?

11. How did the Persians MAINTAIN their empire?
DARIUS, descendant of Cyrus, was a shrewd administrator who balanced central command and initiatives with local control.
Local Control
Satrapies = regions or “states”
Satraps = governors, usually locals
Central Command
Military and tax officials dispatched from the capital
“Eyes and ears of the King”

12. Defining Terms
Bureaucracy
Standardization
a body of nonelected government officials who administer policy
the condition in which a standard has been successfully established
(ex: the standardization of nuts and bolts saved the industry millions.)

13. How did the Persians MAINTAIN their empire?
Darius created a massive bureaucracy and standardized systems across the empire. He created
Predictable tax levies as opposed to random tributes
Standardized coins
Standardized rules and laws
A series of underground canals called qanat to ensure food production
And he appointed scribes, tax collectors, and translators to oversee this standardization.

14. Turn and Talk
(1) How would STANDARDIZATION – of coins and of laws– help the Persians rule vast lands and diverse peoples?

15. Do what your told, or I’ll spit some dirty socks at you!
Turn and Talk
What is a BUREAUCRACY?
How would a bureaucracy help the Persians rule vast lands and diverse peoples?
Do what your told, or I’ll spit some dirty socks at you!

16. How did the Persians MAINTAIN their empire?
Persian rules fostered a sense of unity by connecting the empire with a massive (1) “royal road” that was stationed with fresh horses, food and other supplies every 50 kilometers. They also created a renowned (2) courier service that could travel the length of the empire in two weeks. Finally, they (3) respected the traditions of those they conquered, even adopting some Egyptian customs.

17. How did the Persians MAINTAIN their empire?
The Persian capitol of Persepolis was a hub of bureaucratic activity that served as the administrative center of the empire.
With its massive columns, vast reception halls and lavish royal palaces, the capitol city also served to display the power of the empire – a flexing of muscles that would awe, intimidate and impress visitors.

18. How did the Persian Empire FALL?
XERXES –
Flaunted his Persian identity
Did not respect local customs
Imposed his values on conquered lands
Turn and Talk: (1) How did Xerxes policies differ from his predecessors? (2) Why do you think he contributed to the fall of the Persian Empire?

19. How did the Persian Empire FALL?
The Persian Wars =
Greece v. Persia
Greek subjects of Persia rebel
Persians cannot sustain such long supply lines, lose at Battle of Marathon
Persian Wars weaken Persia, paving the way for conquest by Alexander the Great.

20. SUMMARY What caused the RISE of the Persian Empire?
How did the Persians MAINTAIN their empire?
What caused the FALL of the Persian Empire?