the persian empire the world’s first superpower. objectives students will discover who shaped the...
TRANSCRIPT
The Persian Empire
The World’s First Superpower
Objectives
• Students will discover who shaped the growth and organization of the Persian Empire.
• Students will explore the main teachings of Zoroastrianism.
• Students will identify the most significant cultural achievements of the Persians
• Students will discover the connections between ancient Persia and Modern Iran
Theme 1: GovernmentPersia under the Medes
• Both Indo-European tribes • Medes conquered Persians• Persians allowed to keep their own
leaders as long as they did not rebel
Darius I• Crushed rebellion after death of
Cyrus’s son • Strengthened army, empire
• Tried to invade Greece, turned back at Marathon.
• Ceremony and ritual• Created satraps to help govern
Cyrus the Great • Defeated Medes in 559 BC• Expanded Persian Empire• Freed Jews in Babylon• Respected by those he conquered
Persia in Decline• Rule of Darius high point of Persian
culture • Son, Xerxes, failed to conquer Greece• Last strong ruler of Persia • Following leaders weak and ineffective
Cyrus Cylinder has also been claimed to be an early "human rights charter"
Cyrus the Great Darius I Xerxes
http://robotchicken.wikia.com/wiki/1776
Persian Military• Military was the key in
building the worlds first superpower
• Used Cavalry and Chariots– Chariots were unique because
the were pulled by four horses– Also carried archers who
pelted foes with arrows from a distance
• Supported by highly trained troops called the Immortals
Theme 2: Religion• Zoroastrianism– Based on the teachings of Zoroaster
• God = Ahura Mazda– God was the source of everything good, true and pure in the
world.
• Evil spirit = Ahriman– Spirits were locked in eternal struggle against each other
– Dualism• First religion to believe that the world is controlled by two
opposing forces, good and evil• Believed that good would eventually win and rid the
world of evil
– Polytheistic with an emphasis on Ahura Mazda – Avesta, the sacred text of Zoroastrianism
Theme 3: Writing
• Branch of Indo European Languages• Old Persian Cuneiform• Written and spoken language
Theme 4: Math and Science• The Royal Road, the world’s first long highway.
It stretched more than 1,500 miles and linked major cities
• Roads built for faster communication and the moving of military forces
Theme 5: Art• The Persians were also widely admired for
their art. They crafted delicate drinking vessels out of gold set with precious gems. – Many of these golden objects are shaped like
animals, such as lions and bulls. Animals were a common subject in Persian art.
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/08/iran-archaeology/iran-photography
• Many archaeologists consider Persepolis (capital) the greatest example of Persian architecture.
• Designed as a ceremonial city by Darius I, the entire city of Persepolis was a monument to Persia’s glory.
• At the center of the city was a high-ceilinged audience hall unlike anything else in the
Ancient Near East.
Audience Hall
http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2008/08/iran-archaeology/iran-photography
Theme 6: Trade
• Coin money issued• Encouraged trade
by building roads throughout the Persian Empire
• As a result of this increased trade, the empire grew richer.