• State religion was Zoroastrianism.
Religious:
• Practiced respect and tolerance for non-Persian traditions. • Not concerned with converting conquered people.
Art & Architecture:• Royal Road
connected the cities, and like the sea did for Greeks, it promoted trade.
• Borrowed art from conquered peoples.
• Greatest achievement; “the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.”
• Created the first batteries (Baghdad Battery)
Technology and Science:
• Stimulated trade by introducing a uniform system of gold and silver coinage.
• Long-distance trade due to political stability.
• Patriarchal society.
social stratification
MilitaryHigh honor; provided with special
benefits
Aristocracy
Priest
King & Royal Family
Peasants
TradersBusinesspersons who trade in commodities throughout the
empire.
CraftsmenManuel workers with specialized
skills.
PeasantsFarmers, either laborers or owners of small farms.
• Zoroastrianism forbids slavery.
• Very little slavery in the Persian Empire.
• Most people enjoyed freedom and basic civil rights.
• Specialized labor leads to greater social stratification.
• Truth in high esteem.
• Telling a lie was most disgraceful things a person could do.
• Women enjoyed social and legal freedom.
• Could rule if king died and prince was still a minor.
Rights of Women:
• Free to choose their spouse.
• Represent husband in court.
• Owned property.
• Could work and earned wages.
That concludes The Persian Empire.
Any questions before the quiz on the next slide?
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