1. Chapter 7 The Empires of Persia
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2. 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.)
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3. 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
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4. 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
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5. 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
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6. 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
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7. 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
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8. The Achaemenid and Seleucid Empires, 558–330 B.C.E. and 323–83 B.C.E.
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9. 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
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10. 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
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11. The Parthian and Sasanid Empires, 247 C.E.–651 C.E.
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12. 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
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13. 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
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14. 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
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15. 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
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16. 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
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17. 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
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