Achaemenid Persia

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Following the collapse of Late Bronze Age societies from the eastern Mediterranean to the Indus Valley, the Achaemenid Empire of Persia filled the void by uniting the lands of the region under the control of a single political power.  Under its 'King of Kings,' they were able to united the complex societies of the Nile (Egypt), the Tigris and Euphrates (Mesopotamia), and the Indus (Harappa) into a single empire.  


The Achaemenid Persians pattern of imperial control and government laid the foundation for all of the Old World agrarian-based (farming) empires until the rise of the modern nation state in the 17th century.  


Learning Objective: How were the Achaemenid Persians able to acquire and control such a large empire? 

Subtopics 
  • Geography
  • Government
  • Cities
  • Religion
  • Views and Treatment of Foreigners 

Geography

Achaemenid Persia Map Excercise

For this exercise, you will be creating two maps:
  • Large Map: hand-drawn map on 11"x 18" pieces of paper.  
  • Small Map: use an existing map.   

Map Exercises (Large Map)

​The final map must be colored as a physical map.  Also, it needs to be enlarged to half poster size.  The following blank outline map will help you get started. 

​Middle Asia Map [original source: http://d-maps.com/pays.php?num_pay=168&lang=en] 

Physical Landscape 

Rivers: Nile River, Tigris River, Euphrates River, Indus River, Amu Darya (Oxus) River, Syr Darya (Jaxartes) River

Bodies of Water: Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, Red Sea, Caspian Sea, Persian Gulf, Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean [Aegean Sea] 

Mountain Chains: Taurus Mountains, Zagros Mountains, Caucasus Mountains, Elburz Mountains, Hindu Kush Mountains [Alps, Pyrenees, and Atlas Mountains] 

Land forms: Balkan Peninsula, Anatolian Plateau, Iranian Plateau          

Human Landscape 

Imperial Capitals: Pasargadae (First Capital), Susa (Winter Capital), Ecbatana (Summer Capital), Persepolis (Administrative and Ceremonial Capital)

Key Cities: Babylon, Tyre, Sardis

Roads and Canals: Draw the Persian royal highway system, and specifically name the Royal Road. Draw and label the Pharaoh's Canal.

Imperial Borders: Draw the border of the empire at its maximum size under Darius I. 

 Persian States/Provinces (Small Map)

In addition to the larger map you will be creating above, you need to create a smaller map of the Persian Empire that will go in the key.  It must include the following information:
  • The border of the Persian Empire around 500 BCE (when the empire reached its largest size under the reign of Darius I.)
  • Draw and label the provinces (known as Satarapies) of the empire.
  • Color as a political map.

Evaluation

Map Rubric
Image Source: Wikipedia
Image Source: Wikipedia 

The Persian Satrapies 

Image Source: Persian Empire under Darius, 522–486 BC
Image Source: Wikipedia 

Royal Roads

Image Source: Wikipedia

Persian Roads

Image Source: Livius 

Satarapies 

A List of the Satrapies of the Achaemenid Persians

Darius' Suez Canal (Pharaoh's Canal) 

This canal, built by Darius I of Persia, allowed for ships to sail from the Indian Ocean, up the Red Sea, through the canal to the Nile River, which would allow them to reach the Mediterranean Sea.  

Pharaoh's Canal of Egypt 

Image Source (Above): Livius

Image Source (Right): Wikipedia 

Pharaoh's Canal (Built by Darius I)

Discussion Questions

  • Define and explain Transhumance Pastoralism.  How would this subsistence pattern impact the lifestyles of the people living in this region?  How did this practice impact the Persian's seasonal use of imperial capitals?   
  • What advantage would there be for subdividing the empire into smaller provinces (satrapies)?
  • Explain the impact that ancient roads would have on the following areas: security of the empire; administration of the empire; and commercial activity in the empire.     

Government

Managing a large area of territory is challenging.  In order to stay in power, the Persians needed to assist in meeting the needs of the people, and help them in times of crisis (such as invasions, famines, or natural disasters).  In order to do this, the Persians, like all other large empires, needed to complete the following:
  • Communication and Transportation Systems (i.e. roads, canals, postal systems/couriers, network of spies that report to the king)
  • Hierarchy System of Government [able to rapidly respond to issues (i.e. systems of governors and city officials, establishing provinces, known as satrapies)]
  • Strong Army and Navy (can handle threats and uprisings both from inside and outside the empire)

Transportation Systems (roads, canals, lodging) in an Imperial System
  • Military: Allow for rapid deployment of the army to handle threats.
  • Government: Allow for circulation of messages and government officials throughout the empire.
  • Economy: the citizens of the empire will use the roads and waterways as a safe method to travel and trade throughout the empire (and beyond).
Engineering an Empire

Government

Four Great Persian Kings: Illustrated Timeline

Create an illustrated timeline that outlines the accomplishments of the Four Great Persian Kings (Cyrus the Great, Cambyses II, Darius the Great, and Xeres I).  See below for the number of events to include for each of the kings.   

Focus on events that will explain how these kings expanded the empire or went about controlling a vast empire. Write at least two sentences explaining the significance of each events.   

Provide illustrations, such as maps, pictures of artifacts, or personal drawings that allow the time line to come to life.  
Focus Questions
  • How did the Persian Kings expand the empire?
  • How did they control the empire once it had been formed?

Cyrus the Great

Include 4 events (either expansion of the empire or activities that supported controlling a large empire).  
Image Source: Cyrus the Great's tomb at Pasargades

Cambyses II

Include 2 events (either expansion of the empire or activities that supported controlling a large empire). 
Image Source: Cambyses II

Darius the Great

Include 4 events (either expansion of the empire or activities that supported controlling a large empire). 
Image Source: Darius I

 Xeres I

Include 3 events (either expansion of the empire or activities that supported controlling a large empire). 
Image Source: Xeres I
Illustrated Timeline Scoring Rubric

Cities: Imperial Capitals

Discovery Civilization-- Lost World: Persepolis 

Religion

Throughout much of the Persian Empire, religious tolerance was practices.  However, one of the earliest monotheistic faiths in the world, Zoroastrianism, gained favor among the Persian elites.  

Many scholars believe that Zoroastrianism is one of the earliest faiths to adopt a dualistic view of the world: that the universe in caught in an epic, cosmic battle between good and evil.  Those who are judged to be good will go to heaven, and those who are judged to be bad will go to hell.  

Persians and Zoroastrians appear in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible.  In the Old Testament, Queen Esther was married to the Persian King Xeres, and in the New Testament, the Three Wise Men are Zoroastrian priests who bring gifts to the Christ Child.    

Conduct research to outline some of the basic beliefs of Zoroastrianism.  

Create an Event Map / Event Map about the Zoroastrian faith.  

Links

Views on Foreigners 

The Persian Empire was made-up of a diverse collection of peoples.  Essentially, the Persians had two basic requirements: pay a modest amount of tax and/or tribute, and maintain the peace.  The faces of the people below are carved throughout the palace at Persepolis.  By representing them in the imperial capital, the Persians sent the message that all of them were members of the empire.  

The number of Persians always remained low, so they knew they needed to rule with a light yolk.  For example, Cyrus' willingness to release the Jewish captives from their 'Babylonian Captivity' earned him the epithet: 'The Great.' 
Image Source: All Empires