Persia Early Classical Civilizations

Pre-Persian Empire Middle East

Once the 3 Kings have come through

Ancient Iran Geography  Natural boundaries do not protect it from invasion.  Limited natural resources and water sources. Underground irrigation required large labor force. Early Persian Empire  Medes and Persians helped to destroy the Assyrians.  Three important kings: Cyrus, Cambyses and Darius.

Persian Conquests Kings led large armies of nearly a million soldiers.  Made up of armies of conquered regions. Important kings - Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes  Expanded empire to include three cultural hearths Built roads to connect major cities Kings eyes and ears are everywhere.

Political power and organization Kings were all-powerful and honored with great reverence. Conquered peoples were strictly ruled, but could practice many of their native traditions and religions. Major religion was Zoroastrianism.  Had a heaven and hell.  Large influence on many modern religions. Empire slowly declines as kings become less powerful.  Persia is defeated by Greece in the Greco-Persian Wars  Alexander the Great

India What do you know about Hinduism?

Vedic Age ( BCE) Missing time period between ancient Indus River valley civs and Vedic Age.  No written history found yet. Named for Vedas – holy Indus books Indo-European invaders from the NW  Using iron tools they develop advanced agricultural settlements.  Aryans fight against darker-skinned Dasas for control.

Vedic Age cont. Class struggle based on race – “varnas”  Brahmin (priests), Kshatriya (warriors), Vaishya (merchants), Shudra (workers), Untouchables  Castes or jati further divide society  Made possible by belief in reincarnation and karma. No written language for a while – knowledge was power and was reserved for Brahmins. Women’s rights were advanced, but not equal.  could study and participate in religion, own land, married in mid to late teens

Religious struggles Two contrary views to Vedic religion:  Jainism: founded by Mahavira practice extreme nonviolence, cannot kill living things – some to the point they went naked and starved themselves – others went into commerce and banking to avoid killing associated with agriculture  Buddhism: founded by Siddhartha Gautama (The Buddha) Four Noble Truths and Eightfold Path – “moderation” All things are interconnected, no eternal soul Attempt to attain Nirvana – remove oneself from the cycle of birth, death and rebirth

Religious Struggles (cont) Hinduism: refined form of Vedic religion in response to Jainism and Buddhism  Vishnu (preserver), Shiva (destroyer), Devi (goddess)  Worship at temples and shrines, devoted religious practices called puja  Ganges River a popular pilgrimage site  Became dominant religion in India – Why? Addressed need to have direct connection with deities Theravada Buddhism – too intense, Mahayana Buddhism – too similar to Hinduism

Mauryan Empire Founded by Chandra Gupta Centered on major trade routes, high taxes (25%) Large army, control over mines, guilds, trade Most famous emperor: Asoka ( BCE)  Became a Buddhist after large battle.  Very strict ruler, tightly controlled economy.

Mauryan Empire cont. Following Asoka’s death, empire declined. Period of rule by outside forces.  Business organizations also increased in influence. Bhagavad-Gita written during this time period.  Book about Hindu gods and how they related to men. Some lesser governments:  Deccan, 3 Tamil kingdoms

Gupta Empire Smaller land area than Mauryans, but many similarities. Chandra Gupta II Army used to secure central areas, but more of a “theater-state.” Key developments:  “Arabic” numerals  Zero concept Women’s rights ↓ (like Shudra) Hinduism is official religion. Collapse in 550 CE fighting the Huns.