Persian Empire Research Paper

The rise and fall of the Persian Empires
The Achaemenid Empire
Medes and Persians migrated from central Asia to Persia before 1000 B.C.E.
Indo-European speakers, sharing cultural traits with Aryans
Challenged the Assyrian and Babylonian empires
Cyrus the Achaemenid (the Shepherd) (reigned 558-530 B.C.E.)
Became king of Persian tribes in 558 B.C.E.
All of Iran under his control by 548 B.C.E.
Established a vast empire from India to borders of Egypt
Cyrus's son, Cambyses (reigned 530-522 B.C.E.), conquered Egypt in 525
Darius (reigned 521-486 B.C.E.); largest extent of empire; population thirty-five million
Diverse empire, seventy ethnic groups
New capital at Persepolis, 520 B.C.E.
Achaemenid administration
Twenty-three satrapies (Persian
governors), appointed by central government
Local officials were from local population
Satraps' power was checked by military officers and "imperial spies"
Replaced irregular tribute payments with formal taxes
Standardization of coins and laws
Communication systems: Persian Royal Road and postal stations
Decline and fall of the Achaemenid Empire
Commonwealth: law, justice, administration led to political stability and public works
Xerxes (reigned 486-465 B.C.E.)
Retreated from the policy of cultural toleration
Caused ill will and rebellions among the peoples in Mesopotamia and Egypt
The Persian Wars (500-479 B.C.E.)
Rebellion of Ionian Greeks
Persian rulers failed to put down the rebellion, sparred for 150 years
Alexander of Macedon invaded Persia in 334 B.C.E.
Battle of Gaugamela, the end of Achaemenid empire, in 331 B.C.E.
Alexander burned the city of Persepolis
The Seleucid, Parthian, and Sasanid Empires
Seleucus inherited most of Achaemenid when Alexander died
Retained the Achaemenid system of administration
Opposition from native Persians; lost control over northern India and Iran
The Parthians, based in Iran, extend to Mesopotamia
Power of Parthian was heavy cavalry
Mithradates I established a empire through conquests from 171-155 B.C.E.
Parthian government followed the example of Achaemenid administration
The Sasanids, from Persia, toppled Parthians; ruled 224-651 C.E.
Merchants brought in various crops from India and China
Shapur I (239-272 C.E.); buffer states with Romans; standoff with Kushan
In 651 C.E., empire incorporated into Islamic empire
Imperial society and economy
Social development in classical Persia
Nomadic society; importance of family and clan relationships
Imperial bureaucrats
Imperial administration called for educated bureaucrats
Shared power and influence with warriors and clan leaders
Free classes were bulk of Persian society
In the city: artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants
In the countryside: peasants, some of whom were building underground canals (qanat)
Large class of slaves who were prisoners of war and debtors
Economic foundations of classical Persia
Agriculture was the economic foundation
Trade from India to Egypt
Standardized coins, good trade routes, markets, banks
Specialization of production in different regions
Religions of salvation in classical Persian society
Zarathustra and his faith
Zoroastrianism
Emerged from the teachings of Zarathustra
Visions; supreme god (Ahura Mazda) made Zarathustra prophet
The Gathas, Zarathustra's hymns in honor of
deities
Teachings preserved later in writing, by magi
Compilation of the holy scriptures, Avesta, under Sasanid dynasty
Zoroastrian teachings
Ahura Mazda as a supreme deity, with six lesser deities
Cosmic conflict between Ahura Mazda (good) and Angra Mainyu (evil)
Heavenly paradise and hellish realm as reward and punishment
The material world as a blessing
Moral formula: good words, good thoughts, good deeds
Popularity of Zoroastrianism grows from sixth century B.C.E.
Attracted Persian aristocrats and ruling elites
Darius regarded Ahura Mazda as supreme God
Most popular in Iran; followings in Mesopotamia, Anatolia, Egypt, and more
Religions of salvation in a cosmopolitan society
Suffering of Zoroastrian community during Alexander's invasion
Officially sponsored Zoroastrianism during the Sasanid empire
The Zoroastrians' difficulties
Islamic conquerors toppled the Sasanid empire, seventh century C.E.
Some Zoroastrians fled to India (Parsis)
Most Zoroastrians in Persia converted to Islam
Some Zoroastrians still exist in modern-day Iran
Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism, Christianity, and later, Islam
Buddhism, Christianity, Manichaeism, Judaism also in Persia