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Judaism and the Persian Empire

Judaism and the Persian Empire. 1. Early Hebrews. Writings Much of what we know comes from their own writings Contained their history, law and requirements for their religion First 5 books form the Torah, the most sacred text of Judaism. b. Founding Fathers Abraham

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Judaism and the Persian Empire

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  1. Judaism and the Persian Empire

  2. 1. Early Hebrews • Writings • Much of what we know comes from their own writings • Contained their history, law and requirements for their religion • First 5 books form the Torah, the most sacred text of Judaism

  3. b. Founding Fathers • Abraham • Lived in Ur and was told to leave by God • God established a covenant with him • Promised to lead him to the Promised Land and make his descendents a mighty people

  4. ii. Jacob • Grandson of Abraham • Had 12 sons and would form the twelve tribes of Israel • His name will be changed to Israel

  5. iii. Moses • Born an Israelite but raised in the pharaoh’s palace • Demanded the Israelites freedom • Lead the people out of Egypt after the pharaoh gave permission to leave

  6. c. The Exodus • It is a major event • Passover • After the Exodus the Israelites will wander in the wilderness for 40 years • 10 Commandments will be given during this time to Moses on Mt. Sinai

  7. d. The Promise Land • Israel had to fight the people that lived there to gain it • Had a time of prophets and judges who were believed to carry messages from God

  8. e. Kings of Israel • Saul • Israel’s 1st king • Chosen for his military leadership • Described as jealous and a troubled ruler

  9. ii. David • Israel’s 2nd king • Well loved and united the people • Strong king and military leader • Gifted poet and musician • Capital was Jerusalem

  10. iii. Solomon • Son of David • Israel’s 3rd king • Israel reached its height under him • Praised for his wisdom • Built a magnificent temple in Jerusalem

  11. f. Division and Conquest • Divided Kingdom • Kingdom was split into 2 after Solomon’s death • 10 tribes formed the Northern Kingdom called Israel • 2 tribes formed the Southern Kingdom called Judah

  12. ii. Fall • Israel fell to the Assyrians in 772 B.C. • Judah fell to the Chaldeans in 586 B.C. • The temple of Jerusalem was destroyed • Thousands of Jews were brought to Babylon as slaves • Period is known as the Babylonian Captivity and lasted 50 years • Marked the Diaspora • The scattering of the Jews outside of Judah • Persians will let the Jews return to Jerusalem and they will rebuild the temple

  13. g. Teachings of Judaism • Monotheism • Believed there is only one God • This set them apart from the other people in the region

  14. ii. Justice and Righteousness • Being just meant treating other people with kindness and fairness • Being righteous referred to doing what was right and proper even if others do not • This led to their creation of a strong code of ethics • Will be carried into Christianity

  15. iii. Obedience to the law • 10 Commandments • Most important laws • Mosaic Law • Governs how people pray • When they worship • Dietary Law • What they could eat

  16. iv. Sacred Text • Most sacred was the Torah • Talmud • Contains explanations and interpretations of the other sacred texts

  17. 2. Persian Empire • Persian Leader • Cyrus II • He united the Persians and the Medes • He allowed conquered people to retain their own customs • He freed the Jewish people and allowed them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the temple • Became known as Cyrus the Great

  18. ii. Darius I • Put down a rebellion during his first year as king • He reorganized and strengthened his army • Created a permanent army • He paid them • The Ten Thousand Immortals • Group within the army that served as the king’s bodyguards

  19. 4. Surrounded the kingship with ritual and ceremony 5. Called himself either the Great King or the King of Kings 6. Used Satraps (governors) to help him rule his vast empire 7. Strengthened the economy 8. Built roads throughout the empire to help trade 9. Many believed that the high point of Persian culture was reached under him

  20. iii. Xerxes • Son of Darius • Tried to invade Greece and failed • Last strong ruler of ancient Persia

  21. b. Religion • Zoroastrianism • Taught that the world had been created by a god named Ahura Mazda • Taught Dualism • The belief that the world is controlled by two opposing forces, good and evil • Believed people had freewill • Teachings on how people should live are recorded in the Avesta

  22. c. Persian Achievements • Network of roads • They linked all parts of the empire • Longest road was the Royal road which stretched more than 1500 miles

  23. ii. Art and Architecture • Best example is the city of Persepolis • Used animals in their art work

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