Chapter 6 – The Persian Connection

Development of Empire• Approximately 1000 BCE, Indo-European tribes

from Central Asia migrate to Iranian Plateau• Iran translates as “land of Aryans”• Two Subgroups: Medes – Zargos Mountain Region• Persians – Central Plain Farsi Region

Environmental Trade-offs• Unlike other early cultures, Persia did (does)

not have large rivers• Arid and desert• Small rivers• Nomads herded grazing animals to Plateau• Migrants came from northern steppes – area

of great grazing, but often invaded• Persia offered protection from invasion –

surrounded by mountain ranges and deserts

Zagros MountainsNorthwestern Persia

Nisaean Plain

Qanat Irrigation System

Digging a Qanat

Inside a Qanat

End of a Qanat

Aerial View of Qanat

Aerial View of Qanat

Spread of Qanat System

A Modern Qanat –

Still Used Today

Persian Ruling Family – Achaemenid

• Intermarried with Medes to establish power and legitimize bloodline for rule

• Cyrus the Great (child of the Persian/Mede union)

• 550 BCE captured king (his father-in-law) and united Persians and Medes

Cyrus’ Military Conquests

• Defeated Medes, united Persia• Lydia• Greek city-states in Anatolia• Afghanistan• Mesopotamia• Palestine• From Aegean Sea in west to Hindu Kush

mountains in east

Aryan Script

The Cyrus Cylinder539 BCE

Questions of Empire• How to rule and administer far-flung empire?• How to treat and maintain control of peoples from

various cultures?• Different forms of power?• Different ways to gain allegiance from various

people?• Can various peoples maintain their own cultures

when under the rule of someone else?• Why would various peoples submit to imperial rule?

(1) Rule through persuasion and compromise rather than force and humiliation

(2) Treated conquered people with kindness – allowed deported people to return to their homelands

(3) Permitted defeated people to retain their own religion and cultural practices, and offered partnership in Persian empire

(4) Standardized taxes and measurements

(5) Fostered commercial and cultural networks in empire (Royal Road)

Principles Established by Cyrus the Great:

http://www.iranchamber.com/history/cyrus/cyrus_charter.phpCyrus the Great Cylinder

Tomb of Cyrus the GreatSite contains: Tomb of Cyrus, a monumental gatehouse, two

palaces, a royal garden, an enigmatic stone tower (the Zendan-i Suleiman), two hollow limestone plinths, and an impressive stone platform jutting from the western side of a low hill or "throne hill."

Satellite Map of Site

Empire in Disarray – Rise of Darius• No clear ruler after Cyrus’

son died• Darius claimed throne,

married Cyrus’ son’s wife and Cyrus’ daughter

• Claimed divine support• Waited a brief period before

expanding kingdom• First conquests in East into

India• Pressed into Northern

Europe – Danube River by 512 BCE

One of the building inscriptions at Persepolis, known as DPa. "Darius, the great king, king of kings, king of countries, Hystapeses’ son, an Achaemenid, built this palace".

Darius (Continued)

• Chose Strong Central Rule – emphasized Authority• Divided empire into twenty provinces (satrapies)• Governor – Satrap (Note the importance of the Satrap, p. 142

Connections)• Established system of royal judges to ensure local laws

enforced• Authorized compilation and codification of Persian laws

See the Video Link for Persepolis in Blackboard

Darius’ Seal of Office

The cuneiform inscription in Old Persian, Elamite and Babylonian reads: ‘I [am] Darius, great king’ (the word ‘great’ only occurs in Babylonian).

Persian Satrapies

Satrap Receiving Visitors

Darius’ Royal Road

Royal Road Today (in Turkey)

Archaeology Along Royal Road (Turkey)

Royal Road Bridge at Pol-e Dokhtar, Iran

Royal Road Bridge at Pol-e DokhtarSatellite Map

Darius’ Behistun Inscription• Behistun – Large rock

along Royal Road between different Persian capitals – many travelers passed by site

• Logical place for Darius to proclaim his accomplishments

• Satellite map of site

Behistun Inscription

Inscription tells of Darius’ victories (symbolized by 10 subject peoples), overseen by the god Ahuramazda – 3 versions of text in Old Persian, Babylonian, and Elamite

Achaemenid Dynasty Sites and Artifacts

• CAIS link to sites and artifacts• Livius.org info on different Persian sites

Persepolis

Zoroastrianism as a Religion• “Good thoughts, good words,

and good deeds”(humata, hukhta, huvarshta)

• Ahura Mazda – chief deity (“Wise Lord”)

• Angra Mainyo (or Ahriman) – Antagonist of Ahura Mazda (evil)

• Religion is dualistic – a constant struggle between the two deities for mankind and the world (good vs. evil) Saoshyant – Savior Figure at the End of Time that will reign

• Final Judgment of Fire, Ahura Mazda controls this judgment.

Features of Zoroastrianism

(1) Ethics – morality as ideal and achievement(2) Eschatology – expectation of a world to come(3) Personification of Evil (protagaonist/antagonist)(4) Fire as a central part of worship (symbol of divine presence)

Standard Prayer for Zoroastrian ceremonies is a prayer for health, long life and good fortune – called the Tan Dorosti (Healthy Body)

BBC ‘Story of God’ video links: Part One (animism, cave art) Zoroastrianism

Confrontation with Greece

Cyrus• 546 BCE

conquered Lydia and Western Anatolia

– Greeks were forced to submit, but resentment built over differences in culture and government

• 499 BCE Ionian Revolt (City-states revolted against Persian Rule)

B. Darius and the Ionian Revolt• 494 BCE Darius sent ambassadors to Greek mainland to

suppress rebellions and force dominance of Aegean Commerce

• Athens and Sparta killed his messengers and offended Persia• 492 BCE Battle of Marathon (at Marathon Bay)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oTgez_mzfCYYoutube link for History Channel Battle of Marathon Part 1(Try to watch part 1, 2 and 3)

• After the Persians were defeated at Marathon, Darius was positive he must forcefully conquer Greece