IV' Persian Empire

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IV. Persian Empire

• Strong leaders play a role in the development of
  the Persian Empire and its civilization

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A. Cyrus, the Empire Builder

• 1. Some Aryans settled in lands west of India
• About 900 BC in area known as Persia
• Today called Iran name comes from word Aryan
• 2. Persians lived on Plateau of Iran
• Plateau high flat area of land
• 3. conquered Babylonians in Fertile Crescent and
  Egyptians

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• 4. Persian army huge and used advanced technology
• Bronze helmets and carried shields
• Winners in hand-to-hand combat
• Cavalry soldiers who rode horses and camels
• War chariots w/ sharp knives attached to wheels
• Fought well at sea
• Within 20 yrs conquered all lands from northern
  India to northern Africa

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• 4. Cyrus the great was the leader who built
  empire
• Only lost one battle- his last
• People near Caspian Sea, defeated his army

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B. Darius, the Organizer

• 1. a Persian emperor, who successfully organized
  large empire
• 2. lets conquered people keep customs and choose
  local leaders
• 3. improves travel and trade canal to connect
  Red Sea and Nile River
• 4. conquered people expected to pay tribute
  yearly payments

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• Tribute was in form of livestock. Gold, tanned
  leather, cloth, pottery, camels and horses
• 5. solves communication problem with a
  pony-express system
• Couriers riders
• Information could travel 1,677 miles in 7 days
• 6. Persia eventually defeated by invaders from
  Mediterranean

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C. Zarathustra the Prophet

• 1. prophet a person who others believe speaks
  or writes with a divine message
• 2. Zarathustra, a prophet, taught a belief in
  2 gods, Zoroastianism
• Ahura Mazda or Wise Lord was good and kind,
  represented truth
• Ahriman was his enemy
• Good and evil fight each other
• but good will win

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• 3. Zoroastrianism believes life in paradise after
  death
• 4. Persians spread their culture and customs
  throughout empire
• As empire declines they struggle to hold onto
  culture against Greeks and Byzantines
• When Arabs conquer in 750 AD they bring their
  culture and religion of Islam