1. The Empires of Persia

2. Rise of the Achaemenid Empire
Southwest Asia (Iran)
Emerges from late Mesopotamian society and Indo-European migrations
Use bows and arrows and horses for conquest
Take advantage of Babylonian and Assyrian empires as they weakened
Cyrus “the Shepherd”
From southwestern Iran
Controlled all of Iran by 548 BCE- Empire eventually spread from Egypt to India
Dies in battle 530 BCE

3. Rise of the Achaemenid Empire
Darius
Greatest Achaemenid emperor
Expanded empire to Indus River Valley, Nile, Aegean Sea, and Armenia
Geographically diverse
Ethnically, linguistically, and culturally diverse
Capitol at Persepolis- administrative and economic center
Government
Balance between central and local administration
Governors or regions
Satrapies- administrative and taxation districts governed by satraps
Recruited local leaders to ensure regional compliance/acceptance
Checks and balances- military and tax collectors + imperial spies

4. Rise of the Achaemenid Empire
Economy
Taxes of silver, horses, and slaves
Standardized coins- encouraged trade
Roads and Communication
Persian Royal Road throughout empire
facilitated the growth of communities, trade, and diffusion
Integrated distant regions into the empire
Postal stations
Linked Persia with India, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Anatolia, and Syria (8,000 miles)
Qanat- underground canals
Enhanced agricultural production and population growth

5. Decline and Fall of the Achaemenid Empire
Rebellions under Xerxes
Reputation for cruelty toward subjects
The Persian Wars ( BCE)
Tensions with Greek subjects in Anatolia (Greeks paint Persians as tyrannical)
Long, fragile supply lines and hostile environment
Constantly dealt with rebellions by the Greeks and other areas
Alexander of Macedon (Alexander the Great)
Invaded Persia
Persian Empire dissolved within a year
Destroyed Persepolis
Declared himself successor of Achaemenid Empire
Rules until death in 323 BCE

6. The Seleucid Empire Seleucus (305-281 BCE)
Commander of elite guard corps
Took over after ATG
Maintained Achaemenid roads, administration, taxation, and postal service
Founded new cities- stimulated trade
Opposed by native Persians
Satraps revolted
Lost territory in India
Pathians take over Iran
Roman conquerors end empire

7. The Parthian EMpire Based in Iran
Governed through a federation of leaders
Met in councils
Made joint decisions
Skilled warriors
Bred large horses- military advantage
Extended rule from Iran to Mesopotamia
Roman pressure and internal rebellions weaken empire

8. The Sasanid Empire Rule from 224-651 BCE
Strong rule from Parthia to Mesopotamia
Introduce cultivation of rice, sugarcane, citrus, eggplant, and cotton
Shapur I ( BCE)
Set up buffer states between empire and the Romans
Defeated Roman armies
Road and dam construction
Constant conflicts with Kushan empire, Romans, and Byzantines weaken empire
Ends in 651 BCE and incorporated into Islamic Empire

9. Imperial Society Social structure- warriors, priests, and peasants
Seminomadic lifestyle
Family and clan relationships
Male warriors head clans
New educated bureaucrats replace warrior class- share power with warriors and clan leaders
Translators
Tax collectors
administrators
Record keepers
Free classes- artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants, priests/priestesses, peasants, laborers
Slaves- Prisoners of war, rebels, conquered peoples, debtors

10. Imperial Economy Agriculture
Wheat and barley
Beer and wine
Roads and political stability enable extensive trade
Standardized coins
Long-distance trade
India- gold, ivory, aromatics
Mesopotamia and Iran- textiles, mirrors, jewelry
Anatolia- gold, silver, iron, copper, tin
Egypt- grain, linen, papyrus
Greece- oil, wine, ceramics

11. Zoroastrianism Zarathustra Multiple deities
Left home in search of wisdom
Vision of Supreme god, Ahura Mazda
Prophet
Gathas
Hymns to honor deities
Multiple deities
Ahura Mazda in conflict with Angra Mainyu
Good prevails over evil
Human souls rewarded or punished for holiness of thoughts, deeds, and words
Heaven and hell

12. Zoroastrianism
Allowed humans to enjoy wealth, sex, and social prestige in moderation
“Good words, good thoughts, good deeds”
Popular among Persian aristocrats and ruling elites
Darius devoted to Ahura Mazda
Popular in Iran, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Egypt
Hymns and holy verses lost when magi and temples were destroyed by Alexander
Flourished during Sasanid empire
Religious persceution under Islamic empire-> Convert to Islam
Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Manichaeism gain popularity in Persia
Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam