The Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great 580 – 529 B. C. E.  A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions.  The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.”  The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537, he allowed over 40,000 to return to Palestine).

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)  Built Persepolis.  He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)  Established a tax-collecting system.  Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES.  Built the great Royal Road system.  Established a complex postal system.  Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”

Persian “Royal Road”  connected the capital of Lydia, Sardes, and the capitals of the Achaemenid empire, Susa and Persepolis.  protected by dozens of gates and guard-posts  crosses over rivers, which are also protected with guard-posts  resting posts for travelers  took about 90 days to travel from Sardes to Susa

Zoroastrianism The Belief System of the Ancient Persian Empire Focus Questions: 1.What are the major tenants (core beliefs) of Zoroastrians? 2.How do Zoroastrians understand the “nature of god”? 3.How do Zoroastrians understand the “nature of the universe”? 4.How do Zoroastrians view their place in this universe? 5.How do Zoroastrians view their relationship with god?

How do you think the military conquests of Cyrus and Darius influenced Persians’ perspective on daily life?

Extent of Zoroastrianism

Geographical Features of Iran How do you think geography influenced Persians’ perspective on daily life?

Brief Introduction to Zoroastrianism Take Notes on: symbolic importance of fire naujote kusti sudre

Origins Zoroaster (Zarathushtra) c 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE Preached a new form of religion: – monotheism: – followers had a moral responsibility: to protect the spiritual and the physical worlds against evil keep the earth in balance by following the 3 Commandments and performing rituals

Core Belief 1: There is only one supreme god, Ahura Mazda Core Belief 2: Human beings are innately good and have free will to remain righteous or follow evil Ahura MazdaAhriman vs

The Sacred Space of Zoroastrianism The Fire Temple Main Fire Temple Yazd, Iran Why is fire so important to Zoroastrians? Core Belief 3: All is sacred and divine… both the earth and human beings

Core Belief 4: The universe consists of two concurrent dimensions… the spiritual and the physical the spiritual the physical Faravahar Ahura Mazda human; good Ahriman beast; evil The physical world consists of four elements that human beings are charged with keeping pure by not allowing evil to pollute them.

Core Belief 5: Ahura Mazda exists as 6 different personas… the AMESHA SPENTAS they help sanctify the world and help the faithful fight evil in their lives "Good Mind, Intelligence and Good Thinking" "Holy Serenity, Devotion" "Truth and Justice" "Wholeness, Integrity, Health and Completion" "Righteous Power” (peace & democracy in actions) "Deathless- ness and Immortally"

Core Belief 6: Zoroaster preached Ahura Mazda’s Three Commandments “Good thoughts, Good words, Good Deeds” Review Notes from Video: How do each of the follow terms relate to the Three Commandments? naujote: kusti: sudre:

Notes from Video All Zoroastrians must observe and keep holy sacred rituals, daily prayers, and sacred chants. All are necessary to communicate with Ahura Mazda. Are there any ceremonies, practices, or rituals in other religions that are similar to these?

Core Belief 7: -Sin exists when human beings do not follow the 3 commandments or disobey the scriptures. -There is an afterlife that consists of heaven and hell, where the spiritual part of the material body travels after death. -When Ahura Mazda finally destroys all evil, all souls living and dead will be judged on Judgment Day. judgment of deeds on earth gateway to heaven or hell Bridge of Chinvat

Notes from Video: The Tower of Silence Why are burial rituals so important to Zoroastrians? In Mumbai, attended by vultures Dead are left in hilltop enclosures for vultures to devour. Vultures are considered sacred birds because the eat the defiled flesh and release the soul from the physical body. :. The vultures are responsible for enabling the soul to be confronted by God, to be judge, to be freed.

Sacred TextsYasnaVisparadYashtsVendidal -used in rituals and ceremonies *Gathas: most sacred texts believed to have been composed by Zoroaster -used in conducting the high festivals that celebrate the 6 seasons -hymns (worship by praise and song) -book of teachings on how to avoid sin and maintain purity of body and earth