Classical Empires

The Achaemenid EmpireCh. 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?

IntroductionKey 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.

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

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

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

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

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)

Persian Urban CentersCities served as

centers of trade & public performance of religious rituals

Ex. Elam◦Served as political

center of empireEx. Persepolis

◦Built by Darius I for special Persian ceremonies

◦Advertised wealth & power of Persians

Achaemenid CultureSocial hierarchy included:

◦Laborers, slaves, artisans, merchants, elites, etc.

Patriarchal

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