The Persian EmpireThe Persian Empire

Cyrus the GreatCyrus the Great

580 – 529 B. C. E.

580 – 529 B. C. E.

A tolerant ruler he allowed different cultures within his empire to keep their own institutions.

The Greeks called him a “Law-Giver.”

The Jews called him “the anointed of the Lord.” (In 537, he allowed over 40,000 to return to Palestine).

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Built Persepolis.

He extended the Persian Empire to the Indus River in northern India. (2 mil. s.q. mi.)

Built a canal in Egypt.

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.)

Darius the Great (526 – 485 B. C. E.) Established a tax-collecting system.

Divided the empire into districts called SATRAPIES.

Built the great Royal Road system.

Established a complex postal system.

Created a network of spies called “the King’s eyes and ears.”

Ancient PersepolisAncient Persepolis

PersepolisPersepolis

The People of Persepolis

The People of Persepolis

Persian “Royal Road”Persian “Royal Road”

Persian Archers & Soldiers

Persian Archers & Soldiers

Zoroastrianism

The Belief System of the Ancient Persian EmpireFocus Questions:

1.What are the major tenants (core beliefs) of Zoroastrians?2.How do Zoroastrians understand the “nature of god”?

3.How do Zoroastrians understand the “nature of the universe”?4.How do Zoroastrians view their place in this universe?5.How do Zoroastrians view their relationship with god?

How do you think the military conquests of Cyrus and Darius influenced Persians’ perspective on daily life?

Extent of Zoroastrianism

Extent of Zoroastrianism

Geographical Features of Iran

How do you think geography influenced Persians’ perspective on daily life?

OriginsZoroaster (Zarathushtra)• c 1500 BCE – 1000 BCE• Preached a new form of religion:

– monotheism:

– followers had a moral responsibility:

• to protect the spiritual and the physical worlds against evil

• keep the earth in balance by following the 3 Commandments and performing rituals

Core Belief 1: There is only one supreme god, Ahura Mazda

Core Belief 2:Human beings are innately good and

have free will to remain righteous or follow evil

Ahura Mazda Ahrimanvs

The Sacred Space of ZoroastrianismThe Fire Temple

Main Fire Temple Yazd, IranWhy is fire so important to Zoroastrians?

Core Belief 3:All is sacred and divine…

both the earth and human beings

Core Belief 4:The universe consists of two concurrent dimensions…

the spiritual and the physical

the spiritual

the physical

Faravahar

Ahura Mazda human; good

Ahriman beast; evilThe physical world consists of

four elements that human beings are charged with

keeping pure by not allowing evil to pollute them.

Core Belief 5:Ahura Mazda exists as 6 different personas… the AMESHA SPENTAS

they help sanctify the world andhelp the faithful fight evil in their lives

"Good Mind, Intelligence and Good Thinking"

"Holy Serenity,

Devotion"

"Truth and Justice"

"Wholeness, Integrity,

Health and Completion"

"Righteous Power”

(peace & democracy in actions)

"Deathless-ness and

Immortally"

The creator god and his divine creations…

Core Belief 6:Zoroaster preached Ahura Mazda’s Three Commandments

“Good thoughts, Good words, Good Deeds”

Notes from Video:naujote: kusti: sudre:

Notes from VideoAll Zoroastrians must

observe and keep holy sacred rituals, daily prayers, and sacred

chants.

All are necessary to communicate with

Ahura Mazda. Are there any ceremonies, practices, or rituals

in other religions that are similar to these?

Core Belief 7:-Sin exists when human beings do not follow the 3

commandments or disobey the scriptures.-There is an afterlife that consists of heaven and hell, where the

spiritual part of the material body travels after death.-When Ahura Mazda finally destroys all evil,

all souls living and dead will be judged on Judgment Day.

judgment of deeds on earthgateway to heaven or hell

Bridge of

Chinvat

Notes from Video:The Tower of Silence

… in Iran

… in Mumbai, attended by vultures

Why are burial rituals so important to Zoroastrians?

-used in rituals and ceremonies

*Gathas:most sacred texts believed to have been composed

by Zoroaster

-used in conducting

the high festivals that

celebrate the 6

seasons

-hymns(worship by praise and

song)

-book of teachings on

how to avoid sin and maintain purity of body

and earth