The Persian Empire

Cyrus the Great 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). 580 – 529 B. C. E.

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.) Built a canal in Egypt.

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) 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.”

Ancient Persepolis

Persepolis

The People of Persepolis

Persian “Royal Road”

Persian Archers & Soldiers

Zoroastrianism The Belief System of the Ancient Persian Empire Focus Questions: What are the major tenants (core beliefs) of Zoroastrians? How do Zoroastrians understand the “nature of god”? How do Zoroastrians understand the “nature of the universe”? How do Zoroastrians view their place in this universe? 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 Iran is enclosed within a triangle of mountains center = the central plateau: Zagros mountains to the west are a series of parallel ridges interspersed with plains Alborz Mountains across the top Eastern Mountains (with three separate zones for three great peaks) Two salt deserts: Great Salt desert (Dasht-e Kavir): salt flats river beds that are dry for most of the year when rains, water flows out of the mountains to the north into the riverbeds, but soon dries up some marshes and oasis areas, some wildlife Dasht-e Lut: hottest and driest place on the earth covered in black volcanic lava caught in a wind tunnel no living creatures ravines and sinkholes Tropical jungle near the Caspian Sea Mediterranean Climate in the river valleys of the southwest :. Different cultures Contact difficult Western Iran under influence of Mesoptamia, greece and Rome Eastern Iran under influence of India and china How do you think geography influenced Persians’ perspective on daily life?

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 Mazda vs Ahriman

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

Core Belief 4: The universe consists of two concurrent dimensions… the spiritual and the physical Ahura Mazda human; good Faravahar Ahriman beast; evil the physical 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 "Truth and Justice" "Wholeness, Integrity, Health and Completion" "Good Mind, Intelligence and Good Thinking" "Holy Serenity, Devotion" "Deathless-ness and Immortally" "Righteous Power” (peace & democracy in actions)

The creator god and his divine creations…

Core Belief 6: Zoroaster preached Ahura Mazda’s Three Commandments “Good thoughts, Good words, Good Deeds” Notes from Video: 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. Bridge of Chinvat gateway to heaven or hell judgment of deeds on earth

Notes from Video: The Tower of Silence … in Mumbai, attended by vultures … in Iran Why are burial rituals so important to Zoroastrians?

Sacred Texts Yasna Visparad Yashts Vendidal -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