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The Achaemenid Empire

The Achaemenid Empire. Ch. 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?. Introduction. Key Concept 2.2

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The Achaemenid Empire

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  1. The Achaemenid Empire Ch. 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?

  2. Introduction • Key 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.

  3. The Rise of the Persian Empire • The AchaemenidEmpire 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

  4. The Rise of the Persian Empire • Achaemenids 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

  5. 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

  6. Darius’s Imperial Organization • Darius 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

  7. 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)

  8. Persian Urban Centers • Cities served as centers of trade & public performance of religious rituals • Ex. Elam • Served as political center of empire • Ex. Persepolis • Built by Darius I for special Persian ceremonies • Advertised wealth & power of Persians

  9. Achaemenid Culture • Social hierarchy included: • Laborers, slaves, artisans, merchants, elites, etc. • Patriarchal

  10. 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

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