Acheamenidian Persia – Background Information
I.
Greece and Persia were neighboring empires that developed and expanded during roughly the
same time period (around 500 B.C.E.). This dual expansion led to competition and finally war
between the two empires. It’s important to note that Persia’s legacy in history was not
insignificant despite its defeat at the hands of the Greeks. However, because Greece was able to
dominate the area and maintain and empire for a long period of time, its legacy is far greater.
Greece’s legacy is further ingrained in Western culture because Greek culture was borrowed by
Rome, then Europe, then the West (including the United States).
II.
Before Persia
A. Assyria (950 – 612 B.C.E.)
a. Ruled Mesopotamia
b. Decline
i. Empire was too large
ii. Discontent among nobles
iii. Rebellions
III.
Persia (550 – 477 B.C.E.)
A.
Rise
a. Began in present day Iran
b. United under Cyrus the Great and expanded by Darius
c. Darius launches attack on Greece – starts Greco-Persian War but loses the Battle of
Marathon
d. His son, Xerxes, vows to destroy Greece and launches major attack
i. Battle of Thermopylae – 300 Spartan soldiers hold off advancing Persian army
for 3 days allowing Greeks to retreat to safety; all 300 Spartan soldiers are
killed and after the defeat at this battle the Persians defeat and take Athens
e. Greeks began to win battles and push Xerxes out after Battle of Salamis
B.
Social Structure – similar to many other classic civilizations of the time
1.
Patriarchal family structure: the men dominated
2.
Social Classes:
a.
warriors, priests, nobles
b.
scribes, merchants, bureaucrats
c.
peasants, artisans
C.
Culture – culture and language (Farsi) still survive today in modern day Iran
D.
Religion – Zoroastrianism – the god was Ahura Mazda and the holy book was Avesta. The
religion emphasizes the importance of choosing between the divine forces of good and
evil; a last judgment decided the eternal fate of each person; a person either went to
“paradise” or a realm of endless night (hell). Seen as a first step in the direction of
monotheistic religions.
E.
Political structure
1.
Central government: the empire was divided into regions (provinces) who were
governed by Satraps (governors – these were typically relatives of the king). The
regions paid tribute to the king (taxes and military requirements). Conquered
peoples had a good deal of autonomy – started by Cyrus who gave them religious
and cultural toleration and this led to peace inside the empire. Although centralized,
the Persian empire was very multi-cultural.
2.
F.
Gov’t built roads and maintained them to increase trade in the empire and to
control the empire. This led to first postal system. Also, standardized currency and
had standard weights and measures.
Decline: Persia declined after its defeat in 477 B.C.E. It played a minor role in the
Peloponnesian war, but they never became a major player in the region again.