Persian Empire

The Rise of Persia

• The Persians based their empire on tolerance and diplomacy. They relied on a strong military to back up their policies. Ancient Persia is where Iran is today.

Cyrus the Great

The Extent of the Persian Empire

Cyrus’ Empire

• 550 BC – Conquered several neighboring kingdoms

• Military genius• Controlled an empire spanning 2000 miles• Kindness toward conquered people• Honored local customs and religions• 538 BC - Allowed the Jews to return to their

homeland, Jerusalem • Considered by the Jews to be one of God’s

anointed ones

Primary Source

• “This is the word of Cyrus king of Persia: The Lord, God of heaven has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he himself has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem in Judah. To every man of his people now among you I say, God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah, and rebuild the house of the Lord God of Israel, the God whose city is Jerusalem.”

• What type of ruler was Cyrus based on this quote?

Darius• Member of the king’s body

guard• Took power in 522 BC and

created a well-organized efficient government

• Brought peace and stability• Expanded the empire by 500

miles• But could not conquer Greece

Persian Empire, 500 BC

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• Alexander the Great• Born in 356 B.C. in

the Kingdom of Macedonia, north of mainland Greece.

• Although he lived only to the age of 32, he ruled the largest empire the world had ever seen, stretching from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indus River (India).

Alexander in Thebes• In 335 B.C., the

Greek city-state of Thebes revolted and declared its independence from Macedonian rule.

• Alexander, went to Thebes with 30,300 troops to crush the revolt.

• Alexander’s army defeated them. After the battle, Alexander’s troops destroyed the city.

Alexander in Persia• 334 B.C., set out• to conquer the• Persian Empire,• most powerful • empire in the• ancient world. • At the Battle of Issus, Alexander’s forces

defeated the Persian army led by King Darius III.

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• After destroying the Persian capital of Persepolis, Alexander became the ruler of the Persian empire.

• He appointed many Persians as governors in his conquered territories and allowed the Persians to continue practicing their customs and beliefs.

Alexander in Egypt• 332 B.C., his forces • arrived in Egypt.

They met no resistance when they entered the country, the Egyptians made Alexander king.

• Before he left Egypt, he founded a new city, Alexandria.

• The Library of Alexandria become famous for holding most of the knowledge of the Ancient World.

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• Alexander in India

327 B.C. Alexander entered India.

• Over the next 3 years, his troops fought many battles to conquer Indian rulers.

• After a victory at the Battle of the River Hydaspes, Alexander’s troops began the long journey home to Macedonia.

• (why stop here?)

• By his death in• 323 B.C., in • Babylon, he had • founded over 70• cities and • established libraries• and museums • throughout his empire.• He is said to have left his empire “to the strongest,”

which led to 3 of his generals dividing his empire.• Ptolemy: Egypt, Palestine, Phoenicia.• Seleucus: Persia, Mesopotamia, Syria• Lysimachus: Asia Minor and Macedonia

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Hellenism- Alexander’s Legacy• This is a term used to

describe the three centuries between Alexander’s Empire and the formation of the Roman Empire (27 B.C.)

• During this period Greek culture spread from its Mediterranean base

• eastwards to the Indus River Valley (India) and westwards to the Atlantic.