The Empires of Persia
Rise of the Achaemenid Empire Southwest Asia (Iran) Emerges from late Mesopotamian society and Indo-European migrations Use bows and arrows and horses for conquest Take advantage of Babylonian and Assyrian empires as they weakened Cyrus “the Shepherd” From southwestern Iran Controlled all of Iran by 548 BCE- Empire eventually spread from Egypt to India Dies in battle 530 BCE
Rise of the Achaemenid Empire Darius Greatest Achaemenid emperor Expanded empire to Indus River Valley, Nile, Aegean Sea, and Armenia Geographically diverse Ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse Capitol at Persepolis- administrative and economic center Government Balance between central and local administration Governors or regions Satrapies- administrative and taxation districts governed by satraps Recruited local leaders to ensure regional compliance/acceptance Checks and balances- military and tax collectors + imperial spies
Rise of the Achaemenid Empire Economy Taxes of silver, horses, and slaves Standardized coins- encouraged trade Roads and Communication Persian Royal Road throughout empire facilitated the growth of communities, trade, and diffusion Integrated distant regions into the empire Postal stations Linked Persia with India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, and Syria (8,000 miles) Qanat- underground canals Enhanced agricultural production and population growth
Decline and Fall of the Achaemenid Empire Rebellions under Xerxes Reputation for cruelty toward subjects The Persian Wars (500-479 BCE) Tensions with Greek subjects in Anatolia (Greeks paint Persians as tyrannical) Long, fragile supply lines and hostile environment Constantly dealt with rebellions by the Greeks and other areas Alexander of Macedon (Alexander the Great) Invaded Persia Persian Empire dissolved within a year Destroyed Persepolis Declared himself successor of Achaemenid Empire Rules until death in 323 BCE
The Seleucid Empire Seleucus (305-281 BCE) Commander of elite guard corps Took over after ATG Maintained Achaemenid roads, administration, taxation, and postal service Founded new cities- stimulated trade Opposed by native Persians Satraps revolted Lost territory in India Pathians take over Iran Roman conquerors end empire
The Parthian EMpire Based in Iran Governed through a federation of leaders Met in councils Made joint decisions Skilled warriors Bred large horses- military advantage Extended rule from Iran to Mesopotamia Roman pressure and internal rebellions weaken empire
The Sasanid Empire Rule from 224-651 BCE Strong rule from Parthia to Mesopotamia Introduce cultivation of rice, sugarcane, citrus, eggplant, and cotton Shapur I (239-272 BCE) Set up buffer states between empire and the Romans Defeated Roman armies Road and dam construction Constant conflicts with Kushan empire, Romans, and Byzantines weaken empire Ends in 651 BCE and incorporated into Islamic Empire
Imperial Society Social structure- warriors, priests, and peasants Seminomadic lifestyle Family and clan relationships Male warriors head clans New educated bureaucrats replace warrior class- share power with warriors and clan leaders Translators Tax collectors administrators Record keepers Free classes- artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants, priests/priestesses, peasants, laborers Slaves- Prisoners of war, rebels, conquered peoples, debtors
Imperial Economy Agriculture Wheat and barley Beer and wine Roads and political stability enable extensive trade Standardized coins Long-distance trade India- gold, ivory, aromatics Mesopotamia and Iran- textiles, mirrors, jewelry Anatolia- gold, silver, iron, copper, tin Egypt- grain, linen, papyrus Greece- oil, wine, ceramics
Zoroastrianism Zarathustra Multiple deities Left home in search of wisdom Vision of Supreme god, Ahura Mazda Prophet Gathas Hymns to honor deities Multiple deities Ahura Mazda in conflict with Angra Mainyu Good prevails over evil Human souls rewarded or punished for holiness of thoughts, deeds, and words Heaven and hell
Zoroastrianism Allowed humans to enjoy wealth, sex, and social prestige in moderation “Good words, good thoughts, good deeds” Popular among Persian aristocrats and ruling elites Darius devoted to Ahura Mazda Popular in Iran, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Egypt Hymns and holy verses lost when magi and temples were destroyed by Alexander Flourished during Sasanid empire Religious persceution under Islamic empire-> Convert to Islam Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Manichaeism gain popularity in Persia Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam