THE PERSIANSTHE PERSIANSTHE HEIGHT OF SOUTHWEST THE HEIGHT OF SOUTHWEST ASIA’S CLASSICAL SOCIETIESASIA’S CLASSICAL SOCIETIES

THE ACHAEMENID EMPIRETHE ACHAEMENID EMPIRE Persians and Medes are Iranians, related to Indo-EuropeansPersians and Medes are Iranians, related to Indo-Europeans The MedesThe Medes

– Migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E. Migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E. – Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with the Aryans Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with the Aryans – Persians were one of the tribes of Medes Persians were one of the tribes of Medes

Cyrus the Great (reigned 558-530 B.C.E.) Cyrus the Great (reigned 558-530 B.C.E.) – A tough, wily leader, military strategist A tough, wily leader, military strategist – Became the king of the Persians in 558 B.C.E., all Medes in 548 BCE Became the king of the Persians in 558 B.C.E., all Medes in 548 BCE – Conquered Lydia, Chaldean EmpiresConquered Lydia, Chaldean Empires– Established vast empire stretching from India to Mediterranean Established vast empire stretching from India to Mediterranean – Viewed favorably in the Old Testament: allowed Jews to return Viewed favorably in the Old Testament: allowed Jews to return

home home Cambyses, son of Cyrus (re. 530-522 B.C.E.)Cambyses, son of Cyrus (re. 530-522 B.C.E.)

– Conquered Egypt in 525 Conquered Egypt in 525 Darius (re. 521-486 B.C.E.)Darius (re. 521-486 B.C.E.)

– A young kinsman of Cyrus A young kinsman of Cyrus – Built the largest empire in world history: conquered Indus Valley Built the largest empire in world history: conquered Indus Valley – Ruled more than 70 ethnic groups Ruled more than 70 ethnic groups – Built new capital at Persepolis, 520 B.C.E.Built new capital at Persepolis, 520 B.C.E.

ADMINISTRATIONADMINISTRATION Divided the empire into 23 satrapiesDivided the empire into 23 satrapies

– Satraps (governors) Satraps (governors) Appointed by the central governmentAppointed by the central government Local officials were drawn from local peoplesLocal officials were drawn from local peoples Local policies included self-government, toleration Local policies included self-government, toleration

– Satraps' power Satraps' power Represent Emperor, maintain defense, collect taxesRepresent Emperor, maintain defense, collect taxes Checked by military officers and "imperial spies“Checked by military officers and "imperial spies“ Checked by Zoroastrianism, codes of honor, fear of EmperorChecked by Zoroastrianism, codes of honor, fear of Emperor

Replaced irregular tribute payments with formal Replaced irregular tribute payments with formal taxestaxes

Military: largest in history until Romans, ChineseMilitary: largest in history until Romans, Chinese– Common levies from each provinceCommon levies from each province– Persian cavalry; Persian Immortals: elite shock troopsPersian cavalry; Persian Immortals: elite shock troops– Mercenaries included GreeksMercenaries included Greeks

Standardization of coins and lawsStandardization of coins and laws Communication systemsCommunication systems

– Persian Royal Road links Susa (Asia Minor, Lydia to Susa, in Persian Royal Road links Susa (Asia Minor, Lydia to Susa, in Persia)Persia)

– Postal stations with postal relay ridersPostal stations with postal relay riders

THE PERSIAN EMPIRETHE PERSIAN EMPIRE

PERSEPOLISPERSEPOLIS

THE WARS WITH GREECETHE WARS WITH GREECE

The Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.) The Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.) – Ionian Greeks rebelled Ionian Greeks rebelled – Greek free city states sent aid to rebels Greek free city states sent aid to rebels – Persian rulers put down rebellionPersian rulers put down rebellion

Darius invaded Greece to punish GreeksDarius invaded Greece to punish Greeks– Lost Battle of MarathonLost Battle of Marathon– Did not live long enough to finish jobDid not live long enough to finish job

Xerxes (reigned 486-465 B.C.E.) Xerxes (reigned 486-465 B.C.E.) – Retreated from the policy of cultural toleration Retreated from the policy of cultural toleration – Caused ill will and rebellions among subject peoplesCaused ill will and rebellions among subject peoples– Lost both land and sea battles to GreeksLost both land and sea battles to Greeks

Battle of ThermopylaeBattle of Thermopylae Battle of SalamisBattle of Salamis

ALEXANDER ALEXANDER AND HIS HEIRSAND HIS HEIRS

Alexander of Macedon Alexander of Macedon – Invaded Persia in 334 B.C.E. Invaded Persia in 334 B.C.E. – Battle of Gaugamela, ended Achaemenid empire, 331 B.C.E. Battle of Gaugamela, ended Achaemenid empire, 331 B.C.E. – Alexander burned the city of Persepolis, conquered whole Alexander burned the city of Persepolis, conquered whole

empireempire The DiadocheThe Diadoche

– Successor states to AlexanderSuccessor states to Alexander– Divided his empire between themDivided his empire between them

The Seleucids The Seleucids – Inherited the largest part of the former Achaemenid empire Inherited the largest part of the former Achaemenid empire – Retained the Achaemenid system of administration Retained the Achaemenid system of administration – Met opposition from native Persians Met opposition from native Persians – Lost control over northern India and IranLost control over northern India and Iran

SUCCESSORS TO PERSIASUCCESSORS TO PERSIA The ParthiansThe Parthians

– Overthrew Selecuids in 238 BCEOverthrew Selecuids in 238 BCE Based in Iran, extended to Mesopotamia Based in Iran, extended to Mesopotamia Retained some traditions of nomadic people Retained some traditions of nomadic people Formidable power of Parthian heavy cavalry because of alfalfa diet of horsesFormidable power of Parthian heavy cavalry because of alfalfa diet of horses Established a mighty empire through East SW Asia by conquests Established a mighty empire through East SW Asia by conquests

– Portrayed themselves as restorers of the Persian tradition Portrayed themselves as restorers of the Persian tradition Followed the example of the Achaemenids in administration Followed the example of the Achaemenids in administration Clan leaders as satraps: potential threats for central government Clan leaders as satraps: potential threats for central government

– Opposed expanding Roman empire, 1st century C.E. Opposed expanding Roman empire, 1st century C.E. – Internal rebellion brought it down in the early 3rd century C.E. Internal rebellion brought it down in the early 3rd century C.E.

The SasanidsThe Sasanids – From Persia, claimed direct descent from the Achaemenids From Persia, claimed direct descent from the Achaemenids – Toppled the Parthians in 224 C.E., new capital at CtesiphonToppled the Parthians in 224 C.E., new capital at Ctesiphon– Government stronger, better organized, more absolute than Government stronger, better organized, more absolute than

Parthian Parthian – Traded throughout Arabia, SW Asia, Indian Ocean, Central AsiaTraded throughout Arabia, SW Asia, Indian Ocean, Central Asia– Devout Zoroastrians much opposed to early spread of Christianity Devout Zoroastrians much opposed to early spread of Christianity – Battled the Kushan Empire in the east Battled the Kushan Empire in the east – Battled the Roman and Byzantine empires in the west, 3rd century Battled the Roman and Byzantine empires in the west, 3rd century

C.E. C.E. – In 651 C.E., the empire conquered by ArabsIn 651 C.E., the empire conquered by Arabs

IMPERIAL SOCIETY, IMPERIAL SOCIETY, ECONOMYECONOMY

Social Development in Classical Persia Social Development in Classical Persia – Nomadic character of early Persian society Nomadic character of early Persian society

Similar to the Aryans in India Similar to the Aryans in India Importance of family and clan relationships Importance of family and clan relationships

– Imperial bureaucrats Imperial bureaucrats Needed educated bureaucrats Needed educated bureaucrats Shared power with warriors and clan leaders Shared power with warriors and clan leaders

– Free classes Free classes In the city: artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants In the city: artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants In the countryside: peasants - building underground canals (In the countryside: peasants - building underground canals (qanatqanat) ) Slaves in both cities and countryside Slaves in both cities and countryside

Economic Foundations of Classical Persia Economic Foundations of Classical Persia – Agriculture was the economic foundation Agriculture was the economic foundation

Main crops: Barley and wheat Main crops: Barley and wheat Supplemental crops: peas, lentils, mustard, garlic, onions, cucumber Supplemental crops: peas, lentils, mustard, garlic, onions, cucumber Large agricultural surplus Large agricultural surplus

– Trade Trade Commercial zone from India to Egypt Commercial zone from India to Egypt Political stability promoted growth of trade Political stability promoted growth of trade Standardized coins (Gold Darics were first in world), good trade routes Standardized coins (Gold Darics were first in world), good trade routes Specialization of production in different regions Specialization of production in different regions

PERSIAN RELIGIONPERSIAN RELIGION Zarathustra and his faithZarathustra and his faith

– Earliest Persian religion resembled that of the Aryans Earliest Persian religion resembled that of the Aryans – Zoroastrianism, emerged from teachings of Zarathustra Zoroastrianism, emerged from teachings of Zarathustra

The The GathasGathas – Zoroastrian teachings, transmitted orally, many perished Zoroastrian teachings, transmitted orally, many perished – Preserved later in writing, by Preserved later in writing, by magimagi – Compilation of the holy scriptures, Compilation of the holy scriptures, ZendZend AvestaAvesta, under Sasanid dynasty , under Sasanid dynasty – Zarathustra's own writing survived, known as Zarathustra's own writing survived, known as GathasGathas

Zoroastrian teachings Zoroastrian teachings – Ahura Mazda as a supreme deity, with six lesser deities Ahura Mazda as a supreme deity, with six lesser deities – Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (Ahriman, Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (Ahriman,

Shaitan) Shaitan) – Heavenly paradise and hellish realm as reward and punishment Heavenly paradise and hellish realm as reward and punishment – The material world as a blessing The material world as a blessing – Moral formula: good words, good thoughts, good deeds Moral formula: good words, good thoughts, good deeds

Popularity of ZoroastrianismPopularity of Zoroastrianism – Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites – Darius regarded Ahura Mazda as supreme God Darius regarded Ahura Mazda as supreme God – The faith was most popular in Iran The faith was most popular in Iran – Sizable followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and other regionsSizable followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and other regions

RELIGIONS OF SALVATION RELIGIONS OF SALVATION Zoroastrian community suffered during Alexander's Zoroastrian community suffered during Alexander's

invasion invasion Zoroastrianism was the official religion during Sasanid Zoroastrianism was the official religion during Sasanid

rule rule The Zoroastrians' difficulties The Zoroastrians' difficulties

– Extreme rivalries with Christianity (Orthodox, Monophysites)Extreme rivalries with Christianity (Orthodox, Monophysites)– Arabs conquered Sasanid empire, seventh century C.E. Arabs conquered Sasanid empire, seventh century C.E. – Some Zoroastrians fled to India Some Zoroastrians fled to India – Remaining Zoroastrians converted to Islam Remaining Zoroastrians converted to Islam – Few faithful Zoroastrians still exist in modern day Iran Few faithful Zoroastrians still exist in modern day Iran

Other faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, and Manichaeism Other faiths: Buddhism, Christianity, and Manichaeism Influence of Zoroastrians Influence of Zoroastrians

– Influence on Jewish religion: belief in future reward and Influence on Jewish religion: belief in future reward and punishment punishment

– Influence on Christianity: concepts of heaven and hell Influence on Christianity: concepts of heaven and hell – Later influenced Islam; one of Muhammad’s protected faithsLater influenced Islam; one of Muhammad’s protected faiths