1. Persian Empire

3. Politics:
Cyrus the Great  defeats the Menes king to establish Persia
India to the Mediterranean Sea
Darius I  extends empire to its height including Egypt and Macedonia
Conquered peoples retained customs/cultures- WHY?

4. Persepolis Administrative center of Persia Satrapies with Satraps
Local officials below those Satraps – WHY?
Rulers/tax collectors as checks on satraps  preventing revolts
Standardized taxes to pay for bureaucrats
Standardized coins fostered trade
Uniform law codes in the entire empire

5. Royal Road 1600 miles of Road
Courier services with postal stations  horses and food for messenger
Other roads facilitated trade  united various regions into one economy
“Neither snow, nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds.” –Herodotus on Persian messengers

6. Zoroastrianism Persians, especially under Sassanid Empire
Around 2000 BCE
Dualistic faith  two gods representing good v. evil
Monotheistic  people had to choose the “good” god Ahura Mazda
Romans feared it in their realm
Influenced Christianity = prior contact with Rome in the realm of religion!!!

7. Darius’ Inscription

8. WEST v. EAST Persia Greek City-States Ionia
Marathon, Thermopylae, and Plataea
Persia
Greek City-States
Ionia

9. and the eyes and ears of the King, as well as Royal Roads.
Maintenance of large empires depended upon elaborate networks of transportation, communication and administration.
What were the most important elements enabling the Persians to hold their empire together?
Consider especially important the roles of the imperial capital, the satrapies, bureaucracy,
and the eyes and ears of the King, as well as Royal Roads.