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Understanding the Achaemenid Persian Empire: Geography, Organization, and Zoroastrian Influence

This lesson focuses on the Achaemenid Persians of western Iran and their role in the creation of complex societies during the 7th and 6th centuries B.C.E. Students will explore key geographic features of Iran, the rise of the Achaemenid Empire under Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius, and the administrative organization established by Darius. The lesson will also cover Zoroastrianism's beliefs and its political implications, illustrating how religion was woven into the fabric of imperial governance and ideology.

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Understanding the Achaemenid Persian Empire: Geography, Organization, and Zoroastrian Influence

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Presentation Transcript

  1. Agenda • Bell Ringer • Map activity • Iran notes • Closure

  2. Unit 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies (600 B.C.E. – 600 C.E.)

  3. Essential learning: Iran, the “land of the aryans”

  4. Objectives • Identify how the Achaemenid Persians of western Iran created complex societies in the 7th and 6th centuries B.C.E. • Describe imperial organization under Darius. • Identify the major beliefs and influences of Zoroastrianism and how Darius used the religion to create an ideology justifying the empire.

  5. Essential Questions • What are the key geographic features of Iran? • How did the Achaemenid Persians come to power? • Describe the expansion of the Persian Empire under Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius. • Describe Darius’ administrative system. • What was Persepolis like? • What were the major beliefs of Zoroastrianism? • How did Darius tie Zoroastrianism to politics?

  6. Where is Iran?

  7. Target: Geography • High mountains at the edges • Inhospitable deserts • Interior settlements • Fewer natural northeastern boundaries = central Asian nomadic invasion • Underground irrigation in first millennium BCE • Mineral resources, wood • Poor farming land = traded minerals and crafted goods

  8. Target: The Rise of the Persian Empire Map 5-1, p. 118

  9. In antiquity, Iranians spread across western and Central Asia. • Medes – first complex level of political organization • Destruction of Assyrian Empire • Persian rulers (Achaemenids) cemented ties through marriage, gained influence

  10. Patriarchal (male dominated) family organization

  11. Persian Cyrus (r. 550-530 BCE) • Son Cambyses (r. 530-522 BCE) • Darius (r. 521-486 BCE) placed Persians in more important posts. • Promoted maritime trade.

  12. Target: Imperial Organization • Darius divided empire into twenty provinceswith satraps (governors) • Well-maintained roads, way stations, military garrisons • Administration based in Susa

  13. Target: Ideology and Religion • Persepolis – ceremonial capital

  14. p. 123

  15. Zoroastrianism • God – Ahuramazda • The Gathas – hymns said to be work of Zoroaster • AngraMainyu – “hostile spirit” • Reverence for the earth • Influenced Judaism and Christianity • All but disappeared • Darius tied religion to politics

  16. Essential Questions • What are the key geographic features of Iran? • How did the Achaemenid Persians come to power? • Describe the expansion of the Persian Empire under Cyrus, Cambyses, and Darius. • Describe Darius’ administrative system. • What was Persepolis like? • What were the major beliefs of Zoroastrianism? • How did Darius tie Zoroastrianism to politics?

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