1. Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies
Period Two 600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.
Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies

2. Civilization vs. Empire
Empires
States, political systems that exercise coercive power
Large and aggressive states
Comprised of a myriad of cultures
Settled agricultural life which allows specialization
Cities – as administrative centers
Political system based on boundaries, not kinship
Specialization
Monuments
Record keeping system
Long distance trade
Interest in science and art

3. Persian Empire Largest empire the world had seen
323 – Alexander the Great defeats Persia
480 – Xerxes invades Greece
– Reign of Cyrus
1000 B.C.E. – settle in southwest Iran
Largest empire the world had seen
Little written evidence – rely on Greeks
Rely on the greeks due to little written evidence of the civ.
MAP
By 513 B.C.E.
Persepolis

4. Mountains of Afghanistan
Caucasus mts.
Open for attacks
Homeland of Iranians
Zagros mts.
Homeland of Persians
Mountains of Afghanistan
Deserts
Iranian- group with similar languages and culture

5. How did the Persian Empire rise from its Iranian homeland?
It starts with the Medes (Mada)
Cyrus 550 B.C.E.
Noble Warriors
Priests (magi)
Peasants
Mada
Influenced by mesopotamia
Help destroy Assyrian empire (934 BC and ended in 609 BC)
Had power in Southeast – over the Persians
Persians
Had relations with Median court – via marriages
Cyrus (Persian) son of Persian chieftain and Median Princes
Unites Persian tribes
Overthrow Median Monarchy
Allows Persians and Medians to have postions of power
Keeps the framework of Median rule
Little Difference between Persians and Median (dress and dialect are different)
Conquest
Lydia – W Anatolia – smell of his camels scared their horses
All of Anatolia (Greek city states too)
Southern Mesopotamia – where neo-Babylonians rule
Respects local customs religion
His son is crowned king of the region in a Babylonian ceremony
How did the Persian Empire rise from its Iranian homeland?
Achaemenids

6. How did the Persian Empire spread?
20 years of expansion
Cyrus 530 B.C.E. – dead
Son – Cambyses II in Egypt
Darius I 522B.C.E
Indus River
Danube
Son Cambyses defeated the Egyptian – dead 522 B.C.E.
Explorers are sent to Libya and Nubia
Greeks saw Cambyses as a cruel mad man
Darius I
Takes power 522 B.C.E.
Medians have less power = Persian nobles get the highest ranking positions
Expands east into the Indus River Valley
Expands west into Europe (Danube)
Creates canal linking Nil to the Red Sea
Darius
Greek Artist

7. Imperial Organization
Satraps
Local customs
Tax/tribute
Roads
Who’s with the king?
Xerxes
Satraps – 20 provinces
Governors of provinces
Mirrored royal court
Often hereditary
Families of satrap lived in local area – learned local culture
Farther away = more autonomy for satrap
Tribute
Each province must pay
Some used but most hoarded in the capital = out of circulation = price of metal increases = difficult to meet quotas = corruption
Roads maintained
King
Numerous wives & children
Sons of Persian aristocrats – educated and hostages
Noblemen
Administrative officers
Bodguards
Courtiers and slaves
Tribute in metals

8. Zoroastrianism Ahuramazda – wise lord Angra Mainyu – hostile spirit
Zarathustra – prophet
Ahurumazda – wise lord and creator
Supreme diety
Angra Mainyu – hostile spirit – threatens world
In the end good will triumph
Humans are locked in the struggle
Reap rewards or punishment based on your life in afterlife
If you are ethical you will have salvation in the afterlife (soul will be saved in afterlife)
Heaven, Hell, Messiah and the end of time
Islamic conquest in Iran in 600 C.E. diminishes religion
Faravahar
Guardian Angel

9. How did it all end? Speculate with your neighbor.
Were you right? Check your textbook or use Google