AP World History

Period 2: Organization and Reorganization of Human Societies, c. 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.

NOTE: Period 2 aligns with chapters 7-12 of

Traditions and Encounters

Period Two Overview

• 600 B.C.E. to 600 C.E.

– Commonly called the “Classical” period • Four “global” patterns emerge: 1. Sophisticated governments develop 2. Interregional trade networks develop 3. Social structures create inequality 4. Belief systems that still exist today emerge

Period Two Overview

• Three major themes of Period Two: 1. Similarities, differences, and uniqueness of the imperial governments of Persia, India, China, Greece and Rome, Mesoamerica, and the Andean region.

Period Two Overview

2. Emergence of trade and communication networks with peoples in other regions 3. Development and codification (organizing, writing down, solidifying of rules) of religious and cultural traditions

The Empires of Persia

Chapter 7

Persian Empires

• • Modern-day Iran

Four major dynasties:

1. Achaemenids (558-330 B.C.E) 2. Seleucids (323-83 B.C.E) 3. Parthians (247 B.C.E. – 224 C.E.) 4. Sassanids (224 – 651 C.E.)

Achaemenids

• Migration of Medes and Persians from central Asia – Indo-Europeans – Assyrian and Babylonians weakening • • Cyrus the Great founded the dynasty (r. 558-530 B.C.E.) Darius the Great – Darius considered the greatest of Achaemenid rulers – Built capital of

Persepolis

•

Achaemenids

The empire of Cyrus and Darius:

• Persepolis

Achaemenids

Achaemenids

•

Achaemenids

Darius centralized administration to manage the large empire 1. Divided empire into districts called

Satrapies

– Network of spies called “kings eyes and ears”

Achaemenids

2. Standardized currency (coins) for collection of taxes

Achaemenids

3. Built a massive road system – •

Persian Royal Road 1600 miles – partially paved

Achaemenids

4. Developed a courier system (postal service)

The Persian Courier: "Neither snow, nor rain, nor heat, nor gloom of night shall stay the Persian Courier from his appointed rounds." - Herodotus

Achaemenids

5. Began to standardize laws across empire – Did not impose strict laws on his subjects

•

Achaemenids

Major technological development was the

Qanats

– System of underground canals – minimized evaporation – Supported agriculture

•

Achaemenids

Cyrus and Darius were very tolerant rulers – Allowed different cultures to keep own institutions – Rebuilt and allowed Jews to return to Jerusalem

•

Achaemenids

Maintained a strong army to protect empire – Alfalfa and horses

• • •

Achaemenids

Declined under rule of Xerxes Defeated by Greeks in Persian Wars – Battle of Marathon (490 B.C.E.) Conquered by Alexander the Great – 330 B.C.E.

Cyrus the Great Darius the Great Xerxes

• •

Seleucid and Parthian Empires

Controlled Persia in years after Achaemenids Brought down by internal rebellions and foreign invaders – Wars with Roman Empire

• •

Sasanid Empire

Final Persian dynasty – claimed descent from Achaemenids – Continued wars with Rome (west) and Kush (east) Finally defeated by Arab (Islamic) conquest – 651 CE – Persian culture absorbed into Islamic culture

•

Persian Society

Several classes of social structure: 1. Bureaucrats – Government workers 2. Free class – Artisans, merchants, priests, land-owning peasants 3. Slaves – Prisoners of war and those with debts

• •

Persian Economy

Very fertile agricultural areas Long distance trade between India and Egypt – Indian goods highly valued

•

Persian Religion

Most influential of religions was

Zoroastrianism

– Popular in region of Iran – Influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam • • Based on teaching of

Zarathustra

One supreme god –

Ahura Mazda

– Six lesser gods

• •

Persian Religion

Popularized under rule of Darius Declined under Seleucid and Parthian, but revival during Sasanid period • • Magi (priests) preserved the teachings in the

Gathas

Declined dramatically after the beginnings of Islam