Persian Empire

==Persian Empire==- mid 6th century B.C.E. One of the worlds largest and most impressive empires.

• Modern day: ^^Egypt, Turkey, Iran, and Iraq^^

==Cyrus the Great==(580-529BCE)-military genius that lead his army to many victories between 550 and 539 BCE.

• ^^“the great^^” meaning he was a good honorable leader
• He ^^controlled a 2,000 mile empire^^
• He was a ^^tolerant ruler^^: he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions
• Greeks called him a “law giver”
• Jews called him “the anointed of the lord”

==Method of Governing==

• He was ^^kind^^ towards the people he conquered
• He prevented his soldiers from looting and burning the places they conquered
• ^^Honored local customs and religions^^

==Darius the Great==-(526-485 BCE)

• Became emperor in 522 BCE
• Brings stability to the empire
• ^^Expands the empire^^ to the Indus river in northern India
• Unable to conquer Greece

==Method of Governing==

• ^^divided the empire^^ into 20 different provinces
• was tolerant but ^^ruled with absolute power^^
• Used ^^satraps^^: governors to rule each province and collect taxes
• ^^Used inspectors(spies)^^ to ensure loyalty
• created ^^royal roads^^: ensure communication and trade

==Persian Technology==

• ^^Qanats^^: elaborate tunnel systems for getting water in dry mountains

==Zoroastrianism(Persian religion)==

• Monotheistic
• Founder: Zoroaster; an Indo-European Priest; around 600 BCE
• Sacred book: Zend-Avesta(the “book of law”)