1. Classical Empires

6. 8 characteristics vs……

10. The Achaemenid Empire Ch. 4 (pp. 107 – 116)
Key Concept 2.2 The Development of States and Empires
Essential Question: How did the Persian Empire rise from its Iranian homeland and succeed in controlling vast territories and diverse cultures?

11. Introduction Key Concept 2.2
Part 1: During the period 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E., the number and size of key states and empires grew dramatically by imposing political unity on areas where previously there had been competing states
Ex. Achaemenids (Persians) of Iran, Greeks & Romans, Qin & Han Dynasties of China, etc.

12. The Rise of the Persian Empire
The Achaemenid Empire was founded by Cyrus
Son of a strong Persian chieftain
United small Persian states under a single monarch
Conquered majority of Assyrian territory in Mesopotamia
Proceeded by son who conquered Egypt

13. The Rise of the Persian Empire
Achaemenids maintained military power over large areas using:
Supply lines to major cities
Built forts along trade routes
King gave land to supporters in return for military service

14. Persian Interaction with the Environment
Achaemenids developed new irrigation techniques to deal with support the spread of incoming crops from South Asia and the Middle East
Ex. The Qanat System
Combination of wells and gently sloping underground canals

17. Darius’s Imperial Organization
Darius I
Third ruler of Persian Empire
Claimed to have the divine support of Ahuramazda
Extended empire East to Indus River
Largest empire the world had seen
Ruled over subjects by creating new administrative institutions

19. Darius’s Imperial Organization
Persian political system
Centralized government w/ a large bureaucracy
Empire divided into 20 provinces, each supervised by satraps
Governors responsible for collecting taxes & sending tribute to the king
Connected by a well-maintained series of royal roads
Issued currency (gold coins)

20. Persian Urban Centers
Cities served as centers of trade & public performance of religious rituals
Ex. Elam
Served as political center of empire
Ex. Persepolis
Built by Darius I for special Persian ceremonies
Advertised wealth & power of Persians

22. Achaemenid Culture Social hierarchy included: Patriarchal
Laborers, slaves, artisans, merchants, elites, etc.
Patriarchal

23. The Fall of the Achaemenids
Achaemenid Empire began to decline after Xerxes (son of Darius) failed to conquer Greece
Persian Wars
Persians would later face a much larger threat posed by Alexander the Great