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The Assyrians & the Persians. Small Kingdoms & Mighty Empires. Guiding Questions. What’s the difference between a kingdom & an empire? How did the Assyrians create and manage an empire? How did the Persians create and manage an empire?. Kingdoms v . Empires. Kingdoms
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The Assyrians & the Persians Small Kingdoms & Mighty Empires
Guiding Questions • What’s the difference between a kingdom & an empire? • How did the Assyrians create and manage an empire? • How did the Persians create and manage an empire?
Kingdoms v. Empires • Kingdoms • Homogenous population • Usually a smaller area • Easier to manage directly • Empires • Diverse populations • Large area • Harder to manage people directly • Usually requires decentralized control
The Assyrians • Large military power • Defeated kingdom of Israel in 722 BCE • Appointed rulers over conquered territories • Swift and brutal punishment for rebellions • Major weakness: neighbors also adopted brutal military tactics
The Persians • Cyrus the Great (~600-530 BCE) • Decentralized control • Local governors • Persian Royal Road • Zoroastrianism…
Zoroastrianism • Two (sort of…) gods locked in an eternal battle • Ahura Mazda (House of Song) = good • Ariman (House of Worst Thought) = bad • Humans choose which side to join… both sides attempt to persuade you • Ahura Mazda destined to win, a Day of Judgment • Teacher of religion = prophet Zoroaster • Today: 145,000 to 2.6 million members of religion