1. Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY Edited Mr. Stonehill - THHS Susan M. Pojer Horace Greeley HS Chappaqua, NY Edited Mr. Stonehill - THHS

2. Classical Western Eurasia 1000 BCE-600 CE Assyrians/Babylonians – (mid 700s- mid 500s BCE) Persian Empire – (mid 500s – mid 300s BCE) – largest empire until that point in history Greek City States – Athens Golden Age – (400s – 300s BCE) – Western Culture “begins” Hellenistic Empires – Alexander the Great and spread of Greek culture (300 BCE-100 CE) – Greece conquers Persia Roman Republic – (500s – 43 BCE) – Rome develops as regional power Roman Empire – (43 BCE – 476 CE) – Roman Dominates Western Eurasian world

4. The Persian Empire

5. Questions - Map Name the different areas within the Persian Empire?Name the different areas within the Persian Empire? In which part of Empire has the most territory?In which part of Empire has the most territory? Which part of the Persian Empire has the most cities?Which part of the Persian Empire has the most cities?

6. Cyrus the Great 580 – 529 B. C. E.  A tolerant ruler  he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions. CCreator of Persian Empire and conquers Babylonia  The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.” – created a law code giving equality for all different groups in his empire he Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537 BCE, he allowed over 40,000 to return to Palestine).

7. Questions Why was Cyrus the Great truly a Great ruler?Why was Cyrus the Great truly a Great ruler? What makes Babylonia an ideal capital for the Persian Empire?What makes Babylonia an ideal capital for the Persian Empire? Why was being “tolerant” a smart way for Cyrus to rule the Persian Empire?Why was being “tolerant” a smart way for Cyrus to rule the Persian Empire?

8. Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)  Built Persepolis.  He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)  Built a canal in Egypt connecting Mediterranean to Red Sea

9. Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) – How to rule an Empire that is too large  Established a tax-collecting system.  Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES.  Built the great Royal Road system.  Established a complex postal system.  Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”

10. Persian Culture and Inventions Conquest of Babylonia turns Persia into cultural capital of Ancient WorldConquest of Babylonia turns Persia into cultural capital of Ancient World As empire expands Persia will have 4 capitals eventually – Susa, Babylonia, Ecbatana, and PersepolisAs empire expands Persia will have 4 capitals eventually – Susa, Babylonia, Ecbatana, and Persepolis Hanging gardens of Persepolis were considered one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the WorldHanging gardens of Persepolis were considered one of the seven Ancient Wonders of the World Gardens become an art formGardens become an art form

11. Questions How did Darius successfully rule over such a large Empire?How did Darius successfully rule over such a large Empire? How does creating Persepolis help Darius?How does creating Persepolis help Darius? How does Darius’ canal help the Empire?How does Darius’ canal help the Empire? How does a bureaucracy help Darius rule?How does a bureaucracy help Darius rule?

12. Ancient Persepolis – architectural wonder

13. Persepolis

14. The People of Persepolis

15. Persian “Royal Road” – how to connect a large empire

16. Persian Archers & Soldiers

17. Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6c BCE : Good Thoughts, Good Deed, Good Words “Tree of Life”

18. Extent of Zoroastrianism – notice focus to the East

19. Dualistic Battle of Good vs. Evil Ahura Mazda “Holy Spirit” Ahriman “Destructive Spirit”

20. Zend-Avesta (The “Book of Law”) The “Sacred Fire”  the force to fight evil.

21. Questions Is Zoroastrianism a “monotheistic” religion? Why/Why notIs Zoroastrianism a “monotheistic” religion? Why/Why not Define “Gnostic”.Define “Gnostic”.