1. Chapter 4, Lesson 3: Persia Controls Southwest Asia
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2. Objectives Describe the rise of the Persian Empire in Asia
Analyze the accomplishments of Cyrus and Darius, two notable Persian leaders

3. Vocabulary
Anatolia
Toleration
Province
Satrap
Royal Road

4. How did we get to Asia?
East of the Fertile Crescent was the land of the Medes (Media)
These lands bridged east and west Asia

5. A Land Between East and West
The Medes controlled lands that included the Persians
Modern-day Iran
Isolated from the rest of the Fertile Crescent
The Zagros, Caucasus and Hindu Kush mountain ranges cut off the land from the sea and from the rest of the continent.
The land of the Persians was mountainous with fertile valleys and some high plateaus
Iron, copper, and semiprecious gems found in their land
We are looking beyond the fertile crescent and to the rise of a great new empire in the region – the Persian empire.

6. Persians Occupy the Land
Around 1000 B.C., Persians entered the region
They created many tiny kingdoms
Thrived through trade in horses and minerals with eastern and western Asia
Nomadic invaders often came in and occupied the lands of the Medes
Nomads from the plains of Central Asia
Related to other nomadic people who would later move into Europe and into India
Result of these invasions was much mixing of nomads' customs with other societies that lived there.
They were related to other nomadic people who would later move into Europe and into India

7. Cyrus Founds the Persian Empire
Cyrus, a powerful Persian king
"Cyrus the Great"
Vision of conquering lands around Persia to become one large empire
First, conquered Anatolia (Asia Minor, which lies within modern- day Turkey)
Between 550 and 539 B.C., Cyrus conquered the Fertile Crescent lands
Anatolia: land within modern-day Turkey

8. A Wise Emperor
Toleration: acceptance of habits, beliefs, and practices of others
Cyrus set up a policy of toleration
He allowed the conquered people to worship their own gods, speak their own languages, and practice their own ways of life.
They had to pay tribute
His policies made friends, not enemies
He freed the Hebrews who had been captured by the Chaldeans.
He allowed them to rebuild their temple and the city of Jerusalem

9. Treatment of Captured Peoples
Ashurbanipal and the Assyrians
Cyrus, Darius, and the Persians
Used policies of cruelty
Used policies of toleration
Tortured leaders
Allowed leaders to remain in power
Burned cities
Did not destroy homes
Sent people into exile
Allowed people to keep their own gods and culture
Collected tribute

10. Why Can Cyrus be Considered a Wise Emperor?
His policies of toleration treated people with respect.  HIs policies reduced unrest and brought peace.

11. Darius Expands the Empire
Darius stepped in after Cyrus died – he was less tolerant than Cyrus
He grew the Persian Empire to 2,800 miles east to west
Darius divided empire into 20 provinces.  Each had a local government.
Governors were known as satraps
Carried out orders
Collected taxes
Province: a political division of a country
Satraps: a Persian governor
Darius added new policies to those set up by Cyrus
He appointed a military commander for each satrap and sent out spies called "king's eyes and ears" to be sure his satraps followed orders.

12. Uniting the Empire
Royal Road: a road in Persia used for government purposes
The Royal Road was 1,775 miles long.
Eastern end of the road was in Susa, western end was in Sardis on the Anatolian Peninsula.
Royal messages were sent by a relay of messengers
Also used for military troops and mail
Promoted trade and business
Minted coins promoted business; made it easy to pay taxes
1775
The policy of provinces ruled by satraps was only one way to unite the empire.
It took about 7 days to get a message from one end of the road to the other end
From the Lydians, a conquered people, Darius took the idea of minted coins.

13. Enemies of Persia Why it Matters...
486 B.C., Darius planned march against Egyptian rebels
Darius died, so his son, Xerxes, dealt with Egypt.
Why it Matters...
The Persians showed that lands ruled with policies of toleration could be stable and peaceful.