Ancient Persia Unit Test

Ancient Persian History

Size of the Ancient Persian Empire

• At its height, it was larger than Rome and rivaled Greece.

• Spanned from India to Austria (almost as large as modern-day U.S.).

• Population: 70 million people.

The Elamites

• One of the earliest civilizations in Iran, dating back to 3000 BC.

• Capital: Susa.

• Built Chogha Zanbil, a famous ziggurat (stepped temple) near Susa.

• The Elamites were later absorbed into the Persian Empire.

Aryans

• Around 1500 BC, the Aryans (Indo-Iranians) migrated into Persia.

• Established the Kingdom of Media, later conquered by Persia.

• Name Origin: "Iran" comes from the word Aryan.

Zoroastrianism

• Founded ~1000 BC; one of the world's oldest monotheistic religions.

• Core belief: Good thoughts, good words, good deeds.

• Main deity: Ahura Mazda (god of wisdom and light).

• Faravahar: Symbol of Zoroastrianism, depicting a winged figure representing the soul.

Persian Literature

Hafez (1325–1389 AD)

• Famous lyric poet, memorized in most Persian homes.

• Themes: love, intoxication, faith, and exposing hypocrisy.

• Compared to Shakespeare in Persian culture.

Ferdowsi (935–1020 AD)

• Wrote Shahnameh (The Book of Kings), the most important Persian epic.

• Purpose: Preserve Persian culture and language after Arab rule.

Persian Art & Metalwork

• Metalwork was advanced, featuring gold artifacts, weaponry, and jewelry.

• Faravahar Symbol: Often depicted in Persian metalwork and religious art.

Wars & Royalty

Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC)

• First Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great.

• Allowed religious freedom, advanced governance, and military innovations.

Cyrus the Great (r. 550–530 BC)

• Founded Persian Empire, known for just rule.

• Freed Jews from Babylonian captivity (mentioned in the Bible).

• Cyrus Cylinder:

  • Baked clay document listing his policies.

  • Considered the first human rights charter.

Darius the Great (r. 522–486 BC)

• Expanded Persian Empire from Pakistan to Libya.

• No slavery; workers (including women) were paid.

• Built Persepolis, a grand palace complex.

Hall of One Hundred Columns

• Largest hall in Persepolis, used for royal ceremonies.

Wars with the Greeks

• Battle of Marathon (490 BC):

  • Darius I lost to Greek forces.

• Battle of Salamis (480 BC):

  • Xerxes I (Darius’s son) lost a major naval battle to the Greeks.

Alexander the Great (330 BC)

• Conquered Persia and burned Persepolis.

• Took 20,000 mules and 5,000 camels worth of treasures.

• Persia came under Greek (Seleucid) rule after his death.

Arab Invasions (7th–8th Century)

• Islamic Conquests ended Persian independence.

• Persian culture survived, but Arabic became the official language.

Nader Shah (r. 1726–1747)

• Called the Napoleon of Persia.

• Rebuilt the Persian Empire, but after his death, Persia fell apart.

Daily Life, Culture & Nowruz

Houses of Commoners vs. Nobles

• Commoners: Mud-brick homes, large extended families lived together.

• Nobles: Stone houses with gardens, water features, and pavilions.

Skills Taught to Boys & Girls

• Boys: Trained in horseback riding, archery, and sword fighting.

• Girls: Learned weaving, household management, and some professional skills.

Preparations for Nowruz

• Cleaning the home ("shaking the house").

• Shopping for new clothes and decorations.

Haft Sin Table (7 Symbolic Items)

1. Sabzeh (wheatgrass) → rebirth

2. Samanu (pudding) → affluence

3. Senjed (dried fruit) → love

4. Sir (garlic) → health

5. Sib (apple) → beauty

6. Sumāq (sumac berries) → sunrise

7. Serkeh (vinegar) → patience

Chaharshanbe Suri

• Fire-jumping festival, held on the last Tuesday before Nowruz.

• Symbolizes light overcoming darkness.

Nowruz Celebrations

• Visiting family & elders.

• Traditional dishes:

  • Sabzi Polo Mahi (herb rice & fish).

  • Reshteh Polo (noodle rice).

  • Dolmeh (stuffed grape leaves).

Islam in Persia

What is a Muslim?

• A follower of Islam, meaning "submission to God".

Who was Muhammad?

• Prophet of Islam, born in 570 AD in Mecca.

• Received revelations from Angel Gabriel.

• Spread Islam through the Quran (holy book of Islam).

Mecca, Medina, Jerusalem

• Mecca: Holiest city, home to the Kaaba.

• Medina: Muhammad’s burial site.

• Jerusalem: Important Islamic site, where Muhammad is believed to have ascended to heaven.

Five Pillars of Islam

1. Shahada → Declaration of faith.

2. Salah → Daily prayer (5 times a day).

3. Zakat → Charity (giving to the poor).

4. Sawm → Fasting during Ramadan.

5. Hajj → Pilgrimage to Mecca (once in a lifetime).

What is a Rasul?

• A messenger of God, like Muhammad.

Angel Gabriel

• The angel who revealed the Quran to Muhammad.

Daily Prayer (Salah)

• 5 times a day, facing Mecca.

Ishmael

• Son of Abraham, considered an ancestor of the Arab people.

Skills in Science & Medicine

• Persian scholars made significant contributions to:

  • Astronomy & mathematics (Omar Khayyam helped develop algebra).

Medicine (Avicenna wrote The Canon of Medicine).