Key Terms
Iran
Cyrus
Darius
Xerxes
Tribute
Standardized Coins
Qanat
Achaemenids
Selucids
Satrapies
Royal Road
“Eyes and ears of the King”
Bureaucrats
Persian Wars
Alexander of Macedonia / Big Picture
This chapter describes the series of empires that arose in Persia (modern-day Iran) and controlled much of the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and India for over one thousand years, from about 550 B.C.E. through 650 C.E. The first empire, founded by Cyrus the Achaemenid, expanded under him and his successors until it became the largest empire the world had ever seen. The four Persian dynasties of this era (Achaemenid, Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid) were noted for several important developments:
Learning Objectives
  • Explain the rise, expansion, and decline of the early Persian empire.
  • Compare and contrast the post-Alexandrian empires of southwest Asia.
  • Discuss social development in classical Persia.
  • Outline the economic foundations of classical Persia.
  • Identify important features of Persian salvation religion

Language Objectives
  • Tell the rise, expansion, and decline of the early Persian empire.
  • Write the similarities and differences in the post-Alexandrian empires of southwest Asia.
  • Discuss social development in classical Persia.
  • List the economic foundations of classical Persia.
  • Tell the important features of Persian salvation religion

Essential Understanding

  1. Persia arose in what present day country?
  2. Who was the brilliant military strategist and wily leader who launched the Persians imperial venture?
  3. Why was Darius considered the greatest of all Achaemenid emperors?
  4. How did Darius govern his empire?
  5. Describe the satraps.
  6. How did Achaemenid rulers discourage satraps from siding with the locals?
  7. What did Darius do that helped foster trade? Why did this help foster trade?
  8. What did Darius do about law codes in his empire?
  9. Describe the Persian Royal Road.
  10. What was the significance of the qanat?
  11. Describe the Persian Wars.
  12. What was the significance of Persepolis when Alexander conquered Persia?
  13. What did the Seleucids do like Alexander that led to successful ruling?
  14. What discovery led to the Parthians having a stronger military force?
  15. Describe each level of the Persian social class.
  16. Describe Zoroastrianism. Who adopted the religion?
  17. Why is there not much information on early Zoroastrian teachings?
  18. What were the religions of salvation in the Persian Empire?