Persia Unites many Lands

Chapter 4.3

The Rise of Persia

• Unlike the Assyrians who used force to control a vast empire, the Persians would use tolerance and diplomacy.

• After the Medes overthrew the Assyrian Empire in 612 B.C., they joined the Persians as the other major power in the region.

• Soon, the Persians would dominate even the Medes

Cyrus the Great

• Persian King that began a conquest of several neighboring kingdoms in Iran.

• Conquered the entire Fertile Crescent and most of Anatolia

• Although is military might was great, Cyrus would be remembered for his method of governing.

Differences in Leadership

Sennacherib• Burned and sacked 89 cities

and 820 villages• Killed most of the

inhabitants, beheading many.

• Chose Assyrian or Assyrian-friendly kings to govern conquered lands.

• Levied heavy taxes on the conquered.

Cyrus• His generals enforced strict

discipline against looting and burning.

• Honored the local customs and religions of the conquered

• Knelt to pray in the local temple.

• Babylon opened it’s gates for Cyrus to enter, a bloodless victory for Cyrus

• Allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem.

Persian Rule and Religion

Cambyses:• Cyrus’ son• Extended the Persian

Empire into Egypt, but scorned the Egyptian religion.

• Destroyed many of the Egyptian statues of their idols and gods

• After his death, many rebellions broke out.

Darius• Started as the king’s

bodyguard• With the help of soldiers,

claimed the throne.• Expanded the empire , over

2500 miles east to west• Divided his empire into 20

provinces.

After Cyrus’ death, his successors had both successes and failures.

Persian Empire 500 B.C.

Provinces and satraps• Darius divided his empire into 20 provinces.• These “nationalities”:– Practiced their own religion– Spoke their own language– Had their own laws

• Although these groups had many freedoms, Darius still ruled absolutely.

• Installed satraps, or governors, in each province, which ruled under his command

• They were kept honest by inspectors, who he called his “eyes and ears”

Keeping the Empire together

• The Royal Road– Linked his empire together

• Manufacturing coins– First use of standardized coins

Persian Religion• Zoroaster:– Persian Prophet who lived around 600 B.C.– Helped people deal with the suffering and chaos they

dealt with every day.• Taught that 2 armies fight for possession of your soul– Ahura Mazda leads the good army– Ahriman leads the bad

• Each person, at their death, would be judged on their life.– Followers of Mazda would be lifted into paradise.– Followers of Ahriman would burn forever in a fiery pit.

• Sound familiar?