Persian Empire

The Persian Empire

1st Persian Empire: Achaemenid Empire

  • Time Period: 550-330 BCE

  • Founded by: Cyrus the Great

  • Significance: Larger than any previous empire in history

Leadership and Policies

King of Kings: Cyrus the Great

  • Political Strategy: Shrewd and effective

    • Equal rights and responsibilities for all citizens

    • Requirement: Just pay taxes and maintain peace

  • Cultural Approach: Non-interference with local customs

    • Promoted: Religious freedom

Accomplishments of the Persian Empire

  • Established a vast postal system

  • Created a currency system still in use today

  • Developed an efficient tax system

  • Built extensive trade networks and unmatched infrastructure

    • Notable: 2500 km highway

  • Greek Historian Herodotus remarked on the speed of Persian couriers:

    • "There is nothing in the world that travels faster than these Persian couriers. Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night stays these courageous couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds."

Persian Tolerance

  • Emancipated Jewish exiles in Babylon (Babylonian Captivity)

  • Prohibited slavery within the empire

  • Promoted freedom of religion

Persepolis: Capital City of Persia

  • Notable Features: Rich cultural and political center

  • Reference: Ricksteves.com

Ionian Revolt

  • Background: Ionians in Persian lands revolted in 499 BCE

  • Support: Athenians aided the Ionians

  • Outcome: Revolt crushed by 494 BCE, but had significant consequences

Effects of the Ionian Revolt

  • Showed vulnerabilities within the Persian Empire

  • Darius I's response: Anger towards Athens; motivation to invade

  • Resulted in the invasion of Greece in 492 BCE, marking the beginning of the Persian Wars

The Persian Wars

  • Context: Conflict between Greece and Persia.