Review Questions
1. In what ways did river valley civilizations influence the development of the
Persian Empire? The economic and political systems, writing, technology,
language, etc. of the classical civilizations were built upon the foundations laid
down earlier by the river valley civilizations.
2. What strategies were used by Cyrus and Darius to rule over their empires?
Cyrus unified the Medes, and the Persians and Darius built a network of public
roads, introduced a uniform of set weights and meduser and established several
capital.
3. How did a standard currency allow Darius greater control over his empire’s
resources? A standardized currency also allowed Darius to collect taxes and
tributes in coin rather than in goods or services, which allowed him to
concentrate the empire's wealth where he chose.
4. What was the purpose of the Royal Road in the Persian Empire? Darius built
the road to facilitate rapid communication throughout his large empire from
Susa to Sardis.
5. What impact did religion have on Persian society? Darius used religion to
justify his power. He claimed that the Zoroastrian god, Ahura Mazda, had
appointed him to rule the world. Religion was very important to the ancient
Persians, and it dominated lots of their time and attention. It was not, however,
the only influence on their lives. Persian cities also had rigid social structures that
organized people into various classes.