THE ACHAEMENID

EMPIRE
Persia - Iran
 The First Persians
The empire of Persia arose in Iran around the 6th century
B.C.E. Prior to this they were under the Babylonians, the
Assyrians, the Babylonians again. Were part of the larger
Indo-European migrations and shared many traits with
distant cousins, the Aryans such as Indo-European
languages, pastoral lifestyle, and clan based rather than nation
based politically.

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 The Medes and the Persians
migrated from central Asia to Persia
(SW Iran).

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 Military success
1. Resources- vast deposits of copper, lead, gold, and
silver in mountains near them
2. Tactics- expert equestrian archers
3. Beliefs- history of warfare glorified
4. Disorganized resistance- decline of Assyrians and
Babylonians create power vacuum
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 Cyrus The Great
Established first Persian
Empire called the Achaemenid
Empire after Cyrus’ clan.

The Greeks called him a

“Law-Giver.”
A tolerant ruler → he allowed
different cultures within his
empire to keep their own
institutions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch
580 – 529 B. C. E. ?v=k4_4QC3xXBI
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 Government
Learning from the mistakes of the Assyrians,
Darius governed with tolerance for local custom
and religions, outlawed looting by troops. This
became the standard policy of the Persians.

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 Cyrus The Great
The Jews called
him “the anointed
of the Lord.”
because in 537, he
allowed over
40,000 to return to
Israel from
Babylon and
rebuild the Temple

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 The Reign of Cambyses

Advance the
Achaemenid
frontier down
the Nile as far
as the First
Cataract

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 THE PERSIAN EMPIRE

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 Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)
Originally part of
the king’s
bodyguards, he
took control of the
Ten Thousand
Immortals and
launched a coup
de tat (violent
overthrow of the
current authority)

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 Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)
Best organizer among Persian kings

He extended the Persian Empire to the

Indus River in northern India. (empire
stretched 3000 mls), but could not
conquer the Greeks

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 PERSEPOLIS in 520

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 Darius the Great
Political Policy
● divided the empire into 20 provinces called
satrapies ruled by a satrap (governor) who ruled
local affairs
● appointed a military leader and tax collector to
each province who was loyal to him

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 Darius the Great
Political Policy
● created a network of spies
called “the king’s eyes
and ears.” surprise audits
to minimized possibilities
of local rebellion
● Military: largest in history
until Romans, Chinese-
Common levies from each
province, Persian cavalry;
Persian Immortals: elite
shock troops,
Mercenaries included
Greeks

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 Darius the Great
Economic Policy
Standardization of coins

CT- How would these help promote trade?

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 Persian “Royal Road” Economic Policy
network of roads
▪ trade between
different peoples
▪ postal system
called Royal Road
= longest road in
the empire → had
stations along it so
travelers could get
food, water, and
fresh horses
▪ How fast could
communication travel?
http://www.history.com/t
opics/exploration/marco-
polo/videos/persias-royal-
road

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 Economic
Policy- canals
He
conquered
Egypt & built
a canal in
Egypt
connecting
the Nile and
the Red Sea.

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 Qanat – system of underground
canals

■ Avoided excessive loss to evaporation

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 PERSIAN RELIGION
Zoroastrianism, emerged from teachings of
Zoroaster
● earth was a struggle between good and evil and
everyone is expected to take part
● Good god Ahura Mazda was supreme and would
judge people at their death and determine if
they would go to paradise or eternal punishment
● Moral formula: good words, good thoughts, Ahura Mazda
good deeds “Holy Spirit”

Popularity of Zoroastrianism
– Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites
popular in Iran
– Sizable followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt,
and other regions

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 Zend-Avesta
(The “Book of Law”)

The “Sacred Fire” → the force to fight evil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6y8BZONP
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 Extent of Zoroastrianism

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