PERSIAN EMPIRE

Bell work – 10-1• Here is what is going to be on your notebook check this Friday, take a minute to check if you’re missing anything• Vocabulary Chart 9/24 • Hebrews, Children of Israel Notes 9/24• Bell work & Notes Hebrews Continued• Secrets of the Bible Video Notes• Ancient Assyrians: Empire Builders Notes 9/29• Bell Work: Better to be feared or loved? 9/30• Ancient Persia Notes 10/1 (TODAY)

• Also take out your worksheet from yesterday and open to page 50

The Persian Empire• Prologue- the Medes, a pastoral

group of nomads help the Neo-Babylonians capture Nineveh & establish the Median Empire• In 559 B.C.E Cyrus unified the

clans of Persia & go on the offensive against Medes

• By 550 B.C.E Cyrus had captured Media and created the first Persian Satrapy or province.• Goes on to conquer Greek city

states on the Ionian coast, and eventually to capture Babylon in 539 B.C.E

Cyrus the Great

• From 538 to 530 B.C.E Cyrus consolidates (unifies) his empire• Restores temples destroyed by previous rulers & promotes religious toleration• Allowed native people to become government officials• Not seen as a god, but considered a father or Shepard of the people• Dies in 530B.C.E and is succeeded by his son Cambyses who expands the empire into Egypt & takes the title of Pharaoh

Darius, the Great King (521-486 B.C.E) • Expands the Empire to its largest territorial borders• Professionalizes the army (elite soldiers known as Immortals)• Attempts to invade the Greek mainland after a revolt in Sardis• Organized the Satrapies or provinces of Persia into a more sensible system• Built grand palaces throughout the Empire, particularly along the Royal Road

Zoroastrianis

m• Monotheistic, their god went by the name Ahuramazda• Sacred Text- Zend Avesta• Ahuramazda was everything good in the world• Ahriman on the other hand was the embodiment of evil• Magi- or priests spread this religion throughout the Persian Empire• Loses monotheistic focus, Mithra a sun god becomes Ahuramazda’s helper

Advertising Persia• Things to include• Places to stay• Famous Cities/Rulers• Landmarks – include historical information!• Travel Routes• Physical Geography/outside activities• Cultural experiences – what could a tourist go see if they

visited?• PICTURES!!!!• Religions • Historical notes of interest