The Achaemenid Empire
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Transcript of The Achaemenid Empire
The Achaemenid EmpireCh. 4 (pp. 107 – 116)
Key Concept 2.2 The Development of States and Empires
Essential Question: How did the Persian Empire rise from its Iranian homeland and succeed in controlling vast territories and diverse cultures?
IntroductionKey Concept 2.2
◦Part 1: During the period 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E., the number and size of key states and empires grew dramatically by imposing political unity on areas where previously there had been competing states
◦Ex. Achaemenids (Persians) of Iran, Greeks & Romans, Qin & Han Dynasties of China, etc.
The Rise of the Persian EmpireThe Achaemenid
Empire was founded by Cyrus◦ Son of a strong
Persian chieftain◦ United small Persian
states under a single monarch
◦ Conquered majority of Assyrian territory in Mesopotamia
◦ Proceeded by son who conquered Egypt
The Rise of the Persian EmpireAchaemenids maintained military power over
large areas using:◦ Supply lines to major cities◦ Built forts along trade routes◦ King gave land to supporters in return for military service
Persian Interaction with the Environment Achaemenids developed new irrigation techniques to deal
with support the spread of incoming crops from South Asia and the Middle East
Ex. The Qanat System◦ Combination of wells and gently sloping underground canals
Darius’s Imperial OrganizationDarius I
◦Third ruler of Persian Empire
◦Claimed to have the divine support of Ahuramazda
◦Extended empire East to Indus River Largest empire the world had
seen◦Ruled over subjects by
creating new administrative institutions
Darius’s Imperial Organization
Persian political system◦ Centralized government w/ a large bureaucracy◦ Empire divided into 20 provinces, each supervised by satraps
Governors responsible for collecting taxes & sending tribute to the king Connected by a well-maintained series of royal roads Issued currency (gold coins)
Persian Urban CentersCities served as
centers of trade & public performance of religious rituals
Ex. Elam◦Served as political
center of empireEx. Persepolis
◦Built by Darius I for special Persian ceremonies
◦Advertised wealth & power of Persians
Achaemenid CultureSocial hierarchy included:
◦Laborers, slaves, artisans, merchants, elites, etc.Patriarchal
The Fall of the Achaemenids
Achaemenid Empire began to decline after Xerxes (son of Darius) failed to conquer Greece◦ Persian Wars
Persians would later face a much larger threat posed by Alexander the Great