AL

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).