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THE PERSIANS

THE PERSIANS. THE HEIGHT OF SOUTHWEST ASIA’S CLASSICAL SOCIETIES. THE ACHAEMENID EMPIRE. The Medes Migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E. Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with the Aryans Persians were one of the tribes of Medes

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THE PERSIANS

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  1. THE PERSIANS THE HEIGHT OF SOUTHWEST ASIA’S CLASSICAL SOCIETIES

  2. THE ACHAEMENID EMPIRE • The Medes • Migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E. • Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with the Aryans • Persians were one of the tribes of Medes • Cyrus the Great (reigned 558-530 B.C.E.) • Became the king of the Persians in 558 B.C.E., all Medes in 548 BCE • Conquered Lydia, Chaldean Empires • Established vast empire stretching from India to Mediterranean • Darius (re. 521-486 B.C.E.) • A young kinsman of Cyrus • Built the largest empire in world history: conquered Indus Valley • Built new capital at Persepolis, 520 B.C.E.

  3. ADMINISTRATION • Divided the empire into twenty-three satrapies • Satraps (governors) appointed by the central government • Satraps' power • Represent Emperor, maintain defense, collect taxes • Checked by military officers and "imperial spies“ • Checked by Zoroastrianism, codes of honor, fear of Emperor • Replaced irregular tribute payments with formal taxes • Military: largest in history until Romans, Chinese • Standardization of coins and laws • Communication systems • Persian Royal Road links Susa (Asia Minor, Lydia to Susa, in Persia) • Postal stations with postal relay riders

  4. THE WARS WITH GREECE • Xerxes (reigned 486-465 B.C.E.) • Retreated from the policy of cultural toleration • Caused ill will and rebellions among subject peoples • The Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.) • Xerxes and Darius invaded Greece to punish Greeks • Lost both land and sea battles to Greeks • Battles of Marathon • Battle of Salamis

  5. SUCCESSORS TO PERSIA • The Parthians • Overthrew Selecuids in 238 BCE; based in Iran, extended to Mesopotamia • Established a mighty empire through East SW Asia by conquests • Parthian government • Portrayed themselves as restorers of the Persian tradition • Opposed expanding Roman empire, 1st century C.E. • The Sasanids • Government stronger, better organized, more absolute than Parthian • Traded throughout Arabia, SW Asia, Indian Ocean, across Central Asia to China • Devout Zoroastrians much opposed to early spread of Christianity • Battled the Roman and Byzantine empires in the west, 3rd century C.E. • In 651 C.E., the empire was incorporated into the expanding Islamic empire

  6. IMPERIAL SOCIETY, ECONOMY • Social Development in Classical Persia • Nomadic character of early Persian society • Similar to the Aryans in India • Importance of family and clan relationships • Free classes • In the city: artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants • In the countryside: peasants - building underground canals (qanat) • Slaves in both cities and countryside • Economic Foundations of Classical Persia • Agriculture was the economic foundation • Trade • Commercial zone from India to Egypt • Political stability promoted growth of trade • Standardized coins (Gold Darics were first in world), good trade routes • Specialization of production in different regions

  7. PERSIAN RELIGION • Zarathustra and his faith • Earliest Persian religion resembled that of the Aryans • Zoroastrianism, emerged from the teachings of Zarathustra • The Gathas • Preserved later in writing, by magi • Compilation of the holy scriptures, ZendAvesta, under Sasanid dynasty • Zarathustra's own writing survived, known as Gathas • Zoroastrian teachings • Ahura Mazda as a supreme deity • Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu (Ahriman, Shaitan) • Heavenly paradise and hellish realm as reward and punishment • Popularity of Zoroastrianism • Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites • Darius regarded Ahura Mazda as supreme God • The faith was most popular in Iran • Sizable followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and other regions

  8. RELIGIONS OF SALVATION • Zoroastrian community suffered during Alexander's invasion • Zoroastrianism was the official religion during Sasanid rule • The Zoroastrians' difficulties • Extreme rivalries with Christianity (Orthodox, Monophysites) • Arabs conquered Sasanid empire, seventh century C.E. • Some Zoroastrians fled to India • Remaining Zoroastrians converted to Islam • Few faithful Zoroastrians still exist in modern day Iran • Influence of Zoroastrians • Influence on Jewish religion: belief in future reward and punishment • Influence on Christianity: concepts of heaven and hell • Later influenced Islam; one of Muhammad’s protected faiths

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