Chapter 7 The Empires of Persia Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Persian Empires Contemporary Iran Four major dynasties Achaemenids (558–330 B.C.E.) Seleucids (323–83 B.C.E.) Parthians (247 B.C.E. –224 C.E.) Sasanids (224–651 C.E.) Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Achaemenid Empire (558–330 B.C.E.) Migration of Medes and Persians from central Asia, before 1000 B.C.E. Indo-Europeans Capitalized on weakening Assyrian and Babylonian empires Cyrus (r. 558–530 B.C.E.) founded dynasty “Cyrus the Shepherd” Empire’s peak under Darius (r. 521–486 B.C.E.) Ruled from Indus to the Aegean; Armenia to the Nile Magnificent capital at Persepolis Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Achaemenid Administration: The Satrapies Twenty-three administrative divisions Satraps Persian, but staff principally local System of spies, surprise audits Minimized possibilities of local rebellion Standardized currency for taxation purposes Massive road building, courier services The Royal Road, 1,600 miles Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Decline of the Achaemenid Empire Vast empire and extensive public works Qanat system of underground canals Policy of toleration under Cyrus, Darius Rebuilding of temple in Jerusalem More difficult relations under Xerxes (r. 486–465 B.C.E.) Rebellions in Mesopotamia, Egypt harshly repressed Increasing public discontent Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Persian Wars (500–479 B.C.E.) Rebellious Greeks in Ionia Joined by peninsular Greeks Persians defeated at Marathon (490 B.C.E.), retreated Ten years later, further defeat at land and sea Thermopylae Achaemenid empire ultimately invaded and conquered, 334–330 B.C.E., by Alexander the Great Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Seleucid Empire After Alexander the Great’s death (323 B.C.E.), empire divided by generals Best part went to Seleucus (r. 305–281 B.C.E.) Faced rebellion in India, invasion of Parthians Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Achaemenid and Seleucid Empires, 558–330 B.C.E. and 323–83 B.C.E. Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Parthian Empire Seminomadic Parthians progressively took over Iran from Seleucids during third century B.C.E. Powerful empire extended to Mesopotamia Federated governmental structure Especially strong cavalry Weakened by ongoing wars with Romans Fell to internal rebellion Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Sasanid Empire (224–651 C.E.) Claimed descent from Achaemenids Continual conflicts with Rome, Byzantium in the west, Kush in the east Overwhelmed by Arab conquest in 651 B.C.E. Persian administration and culture absorbed into new Islamic society Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

The Parthian and Sasanid Empires, 247 C.E.–651 C.E. Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Social Development in Classical Persia Early steppe traditions Warriors, priests, peasants Family and clan relationships very important Creation of bureaucrat class with empire Tax collectors, record keepers, translators Bulk of society free Artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants Priests, priestesses, temple servants Rural peasants Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Slaves Prisoners of war, conquered populations, debtors In both cities and countryside Children, spouses also sold into slavery Principally domestic servitude Some agricultural labor, public works Many owned by temple communities Gimillu of Eanna in Uruk Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Economic Foundations Several areas exceptionally fertile Vast quantities of produce flowed into imperial court Use of standardized coins, banks, and investment in commercial ventures Long-distance trade grew rapidly on Persian roads Various regions all contributed particular products to economy Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Zarathustra and His Faith Emergence of Zoroastrianism Zarathustra, prophet of Ahura Mazda, perhaps late seventh and early sixth centuries B.C.E. Elusive doctrine—early teachings transmitted orally Priests of Zarathustra known as magi Sasanid period, Gathas composed Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda, Angra Mainyu Judgment of human souls according to thoughts, words, deeds Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Officially Sponsored Zoroastrianism Under Alexander, massacre of magi, burning of Zoroastrian temples Weak Parthian support Major revival under Sasanids Persecution of non-Zoroastrians Discrimination under Islam Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.

Other Faiths Numerous communities of Jews in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Persia Three religions of salvation also attracted converts in Persian empire: Buddhism, Christianity, Manichaeism Influence of Zoroastrianism Omnipotent deity responsible for all creation Conflict with evil Moral judgment, rewards in paradise Copyright © 2015 McGraw-Hill Education. All rights reserved. No reproduction or distribution without the prior written consent of McGraw-Hill Education.