Period Two600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.

Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies

Bell Task

Read page 87 in Ways of the World

1. What was the prominent big picture trend for the first civilizations?

2. How did each of the early civilizations end?

Civilization vs. Empire

Settled agricultural life which allows specialization– Cities – as administrative centers– Political system based on boundaries, not kinship– Specialization– Monuments– Record keeping system– Long distance trade– Interest in science and art

Empires• States, political systems that exercise

coercive power• Large and aggressive states• Comprised of a myriad of cultures

Persian Empire• Largest empire the world

had seen• Little written evidence –

rely on Greeks

323 – Alexander the Great defeats Persia

480 – Xerxes invades Greece

550-530 – Reign of Cyrus

1000 B.C.E. – settle in southwest Iran

Pers

epol

is

Zagros mts.

Caucasus mts.

Mountains of

Afghanistan

Deserts

Open for

attacks

Iranian- group with similar languages and culture

Homeland of Iranians

Homeland of Persians

How did the Persian Empire rise from its Iranian homeland?

Achaemenids

• It starts with the Medes (Mada)• Cyrus 550 B.C.E.

Noble Warriors

Priests (magi)

Peasants

How did the Persian Empire spread?

• 20 years of expansion• Cyrus 530 B.C.E. – dead• Son – Cambyses II in Egypt• Darius I 522B.C.E– Indus River– Danube

Darius

Greek Artist

Imperial Organization• Satraps• Local customs• Tax/tribute• Roads• Who’s with the king?

Xerxes

Tribute in metals

Zoroastrianism • Ahuramazda – wise lord • Angra Mainyu – hostile spirit• Zarathustra – prophet

FaravaharGuardian Angel

How did it all end?• Speculate with your neighbor.

• Were you right? Check your textbook or use Google