• 9/27 Focus: – The Persians formed one of the largest
and best governed empires in the ancient world and made great cultural achievements.
• Do Now: –Why were the Phoenicians known as
carriers of civilization?
The Persian Empire
Persian Empire
• Cyrus the Great– 559-529 BCE– Established the
Persian Empire • Extended from N.
Africa to India• Allowed people to
keep their customs
Persian Empire• Darius the Great– 522-486 BCE– Established large
network of roads• The Royal Road
– Created postal system
– Used a single currency
– Appointed governors to run sections of the empire• Called Satraps
Persian Empire• Zoroastrianism – Based on the
teachings of Zoroaster• Monotheistic Religion
– Belief in one god – God was named
Ahura Mazada• Good actions and
thoughts lead to immortality • Tolerant of other
religions