1. Persia Unites Many Lands
Chapter 4 Section 3 p

2. Persia Unites Many Lands Key Idea 3
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Persia Unites
Many Lands
GRAPH
Key Idea
Persian kings forge a multicultural empire stretching from the Indus River to the Nile. Persia pioneers enlighten tolerance in government and support the Zoroastrian religion.
Overview
Assessment

3. The Rise of Persia Persians ruled with tolerance and diplomacy
They had a strong military to back up their policies
Ancient Persia included the area that is modern-day Iran

5. The Persian Homeland
Around 1000 BC Indo-Europeans from Central Europe to Mesopotamia
They seize farmland and mineral wealth
Copper, lead, gold, silver, and lapis lazuli
At first, tiny kingdoms ruled the area
Eventually, the Medes and Persians dominate the area

6. Cyrus the Great Founds an Empire
Cyrus becomes king of Persia in 550 BC
Eventually extended their rule from the Indus valley to Anatolia (over 2000 miles)
They rode horseback and used a short bow
Cyrus was kind to conquered people. He earned their respect and devotion
Conquered people enjoyed freedom
He allowed conquered Jews to return to Jerusalem

7. Cyrus the Great

8. Cyrus the Great
Lost his life in battle
His tomb reads
“O man, I am Cyrus the son of Cambyses. I established the Persian Empire and was king of Asia. Do not begrudge me my memorial.”

9. Tomb of Cyrus the Great

10. Persian Rule and Religion
The task of organizing and unifying territories fell to rulers who followed Cyrus
They succeeded by combining Persian control and local self-government

11. Cambyses
Cambyses (the son of Cyrus) extended the empire by conquering Egypt
He ordered Egyptian religious images to be burned
After his death, rebellions broke out across the empire
Persian control is weakened

12. Cambyses

13. Darius Succeeds Cambyses Began as a member of the king’s bodyguard
Seizes the throne in 522 BC
Puts down revolts and runs an efficient administration
Builds the empire to Afghanistan and the Indus Valley

15. Provinces and Satraps Darius divides the empire into 20 provinces
Each province allowed to practice its own religion
Each province spoke its own language and wrote its own laws
Darius appoints a governor called a satrap
He checks up on satraps regularly to make sure they follow his wishes and collect taxes

17. The Royal Road
Persians build the “Royal Road” from Susa in Persia to Sardis in Anatolia (1,677 miles)

20. Metal Coins
Darius is the first to circulate coins of a standard value throughout an extended empire
Standard coins promote trade
Trade helps to keep the empire together

21. The Persian Legacy Brought political order to Southwest Asia
Respect for other cultures helped to preserve those cultures
Dynasty founded by Cyrus lasted over 200 years

22. Persia Unites Many Lands 3 3
HOME 3
Persia Unites
Many Lands
GRAPH
Section 3
Assessment
1. Look at the graphic to help organize your thoughts. Explain the similarities and differences between Cyrus and Darius.
Cyrus Only
Darius Only
Both
Cyrus founded the Persian Empire and allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem.
Both ruled fairly and expanded the empire.
Darius seized power and introduced coins of standard value.
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