Ethnic Groups Persian People

1. Ethnic GroupsPersian People

2. Early History • Around 1200 BC, Persians and Medes invaded West Asia • They were nomads who travelled around Siberia grazing their horses and cattle • They settled in modern-day Iran and we don’t hear much about them until 600 BC

3. Cyrus • Cyrus became king in 659 BC • Under Cyrus, Persia would become the largest and most powerful empire ever known in human history up to that point • By 486 BC, they controlled all of Mesopotamia and all of the world from Macedon northeast of Greece to Egypt

4. Early Religious Beliefs • Cyrus practiced a new religion called Zoroastrianiam, which stated that the universe was under control of two opposing but equally strong gods

5. Ahura-Mazda, the creating god, was full of light & good. • Ahriman was the god of dark and evil • Cyrus saw as his mission the tearing down of religions for evil gods and strengthening those who were allied with Ahura-Mazda

6. Modern Persians • Persians are also called Iranians • They speak Farsi • In the Middle East, about half of the Persians are farmers who depend heavily on primitive methods of irrigation • They also make crafts such as hand-woven items, like rugs, and pottery • Many also work in oil production

7. Persian Society • The basic social & economic unit is the family, however, some families join together to make larger units • Their society is strictly male-dominated • Women are submissive in public, but Persian women often hold considerable decision-making power in private

8. Religion Today • Islam became the national religion of Iran in the 16th century • Today, most Persians are Shia Muslims of the IthnaAshari branch, and are radical in their adherence to Islamic laws and principles