Unit IIUnit IIThe Formation of Classical SocietiesThe Formation of Classical Societies

Empires of Persia - Empires of Persia - CH. 7CH. 7

The Persian EmpireThe Persian Empire

Four major dynastiesFour major dynasties Achaemenids (558-330 BCE)Achaemenids (558-330 BCE) Seleucids (323-83 BCE)Seleucids (323-83 BCE) Parthians (247-224 BCE)Parthians (247-224 BCE) Sasanids (224 BCE -651 CE)Sasanids (224 BCE -651 CE)

Borrowed heavily from Mesopotamian culturesBorrowed heavily from Mesopotamian cultures Established political standards adopted by many Established political standards adopted by many

othersothers Huge trade network also allowed for massive cultural Huge trade network also allowed for massive cultural

diffusion diffusion

The Achaemenid The Achaemenid EmpireEmpire

Early civilization under the influence of Early civilization under the influence of Babylonian and Assyrian empiresBabylonian and Assyrian empires

Persians were Indo-Europeans – originally org. Persians were Indo-Europeans – originally org. by the clan system and chiefdomsby the clan system and chiefdoms

Nomadic horse culture – military prowessNomadic horse culture – military prowessTook advantage of the weakening Took advantage of the weakening

Mesopotamian cultures to establish their own Mesopotamian cultures to establish their own empire in the 500’s BCEempire in the 500’s BCE

Cyrus the Great (r. 558-Cyrus the Great (r. 558-530 BCE)530 BCE)

Expanded kingdom from Iran to include much Expanded kingdom from Iran to include much of central Asia from Anatolia (Turkey) to of central Asia from Anatolia (Turkey) to Bactria (Afghanistan)Bactria (Afghanistan)

Died in 530 BCE before being able to invade Died in 530 BCE before being able to invade EgyptEgypt

Cyrus Cylinder – seen by some as first Cyrus Cylinder – seen by some as first declaration fdeclaration f of of human rightshuman rights

Darius (r. 521-486 BCE)Darius (r. 521-486 BCE)

Conquered east to the Indus riverConquered east to the Indus riverConquered west to Macedonia Conquered west to Macedonia 35 million people/70+ languages – largest 35 million people/70+ languages – largest

empire of the time empire of the time Necessitated administrative systems that Necessitated administrative systems that

would be used for centurieswould be used for centuriesEst capital @ Persepolis – huge and grand Est capital @ Persepolis – huge and grand

capital capital

Achaemenid Gov’tAchaemenid Gov’t ““Federal” system of gov’t – central and local gov’tFederal” system of gov’t – central and local gov’t

Empire divided into 23 satrapies (provinces)Empire divided into 23 satrapies (provinces) Each province had a satrap (governor)Each province had a satrap (governor) Lower levels of gov’t filled by local people, even if not PersianLower levels of gov’t filled by local people, even if not Persian Separate military commanders and tax collectors to keep satraps “honest” Separate military commanders and tax collectors to keep satraps “honest” Network of spies Network of spies

TaxationTaxation Regular taxes rather than tributeRegular taxes rather than tribute Issued coinsIssued coins

Codified law – preserved local traditions as well Codified law – preserved local traditions as well

InfrastructureInfrastructure Royal Road – 1600 miles, 8,000 miles of other roadsRoyal Road – 1600 miles, 8,000 miles of other roads Postal system & network of couriers Postal system & network of couriers Underground canalsUnderground canals

Decline of the Decline of the Acheamenid DynastyAcheamenid Dynasty

Failure to follow policies of toleranceFailure to follow policies of tolerance 500 BCE Ionian (Greek) city states rebelled500 BCE Ionian (Greek) city states rebelled Persian Wars (500-479 BCE)Persian Wars (500-479 BCE)

Darius attempted to conquer Greece –defeated 490 Darius attempted to conquer Greece –defeated 490 BCEBCE

Xerxes (r. 486-465 BCE)Xerxes (r. 486-465 BCE) Tried to force Persian culture throughout empireTried to force Persian culture throughout empire Defeated 480 BCE by the GreeksDefeated 480 BCE by the Greeks

Alexander the Great – defeated Persian empire in Alexander the Great – defeated Persian empire in 331 BCE 331 BCE

Later Persian Empires Later Persian Empires

The Seleucids (323-83 BCE)The Seleucids (323-83 BCE) Created by one of Alexander’s generals – Created by one of Alexander’s generals –

SeleucusSeleucus Retained Persian administration, roads, and Retained Persian administration, roads, and

taxestaxes Frequent problems with revolts – seen as Frequent problems with revolts – seen as

foreign conquerorsforeign conquerors Empire became increasingly smaller until Empire became increasingly smaller until

defeated by the Romans in 83 BCE)defeated by the Romans in 83 BCE)

The Parthians (247 BCE-224 CE)The Parthians (247 BCE-224 CE) Developed in Iran Developed in Iran Conquered Seleucid dynasty Conquered Seleucid dynasty Retained customs from nomadic times Retained customs from nomadic times Cavalry – developed heavy cavalry Cavalry – developed heavy cavalry Retained traditional Persian gov’t styles, but Retained traditional Persian gov’t styles, but

leaned towards a clan system leaned towards a clan system Built capital near modern day BaghdadBuilt capital near modern day Baghdad Faced challenges from RomeFaced challenges from Rome Ended by internal rebellionEnded by internal rebellion

The Sasanids (224 CE-651CE)The Sasanids (224 CE-651CE) Overthrew ParthiansOverthrew Parthians Set up buffer states between Persia and RomeSet up buffer states between Persia and Rome Fought with surrounding empires – smaller than Fought with surrounding empires – smaller than

other Persian territories other Persian territories Brought to an end by the growing Islamic Brought to an end by the growing Islamic

empireempire

Imperial Society Imperial state req. a huge class of bureaucrats

Displaced nobility in gov’t positions Importance of extended family/clan system Free classes - merchants, artisans & low-level civil servants Large servile (servant) class to provide for priests, nobles, & gov’t officials Free peasants - farming and maintenance of qunat Slavery

POW’s, rebels Debt slavery Private and state owned slaves

Persian Economy

Ag based Mix of very fertile regions w/ more arid Varied diets

Standardized coinsMassive long distance trade

Huge variety of goods Vast cultural diffusion