Transcript Class Session 11

The Persian Empire
Maps by David P. Barrett, used by permission

Belshazzar
Medes
Persians
Cyaxeres
Amyhia
Teispes
Astyages
Cyrus I
Ariramnes
Mandane
Cambyses
Arsames
Cyrus II
(the Great)
Hystaspes
Daniel 5:31 says that Darius
the Mede received the kingdom
at about the age of sixty-two
• Darius the Mede was an early
governor of Babylon under Cyrus
• Darius the Mede was another
name for Cyrus
2 Chronicles 36:22
Cyrus
the
Great
Now in the first
year of Cyrus king of
Persia - in order to fulfill
the word of the Lord by
the mouth of Jeremiah the Lord stirred up the
spirit of Cyrus king of
Persia, so that he sent a
proclamation throughout
his kingdom...
Cyrus Prism
Discovered in 1879 by Rassam
What happened to the Ark?
• Destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar
• Carried to Egypt
• Hidden for protection
• Temple construction halted
• Murder of Smerdis
• Invasion of Egypt
– Established himself as the
beginning of the27th Dynasty
• Attempted invasion of Carthage
Medes
Persians
Cyaxeres
Amyhia
Teispes
Astyages
Cyrus I
Ariramnes
Mandane
Cambyses
Arsames
Cyrus II
(the Great)
Cambyses
Smerdis
Hystaspes
Darius
Hystaspes
the Great
• Capture of Babylon
• Reorganization of
government
• Completion of
temple
• Palaces at Susa &
Persepolis
Persepolis
Photo by Todd Ulbrich
Louvre
These are stayed neither by snow nor rain nor heat
nor darkness from accomplishing their appointed
courses with all speed (Herodotus 8:96).
Behistun
Inscription
Persia
1842
• Sir Henry
Rawlinson - 1835
• George Cameron
made further
copies in 1946
• Old Persian
• Elamite
• Akkadian
Photo by Kendall Down, 1967
(486-464 B.C.)
• Rebellion in the
Empire
– Egypt
– Babylon
• Invasion of
Greece
(486-464 B.C.)
• Rebellion in
the Empire
• Invasion of
Greece
• Esther
• Assassinated
Darius
Xerxes
Artaxerxes I
Reigned 465 – 424 B.C.
• New policy toward Greeks: Financially
support enemies of Athens.
• Gave sanctuary to Themistocles, Athenian
hero of Salamis, after he was ostracized
by Athens.
• Ezra’s commission.
• Nehemiah’s commission
RETURN
FIRST
SECOND
THIRD
Reference
Ezra 1-6
Ezra 7-10
Nehemiah 113
Date
538 B.C.
458 B.C.
444 B.C.
Ezra
Nehemiah
Leaders
Persian
King
Sheshbazzar
Zerubbabel
Cyrus
Elements
of the
Decree
As many as
wished could
return & rebuild
Temple.
Related
Events
Work begun but
then halted until
516 B.C.
Zechariah
Haggai
Prophets
Artaxerxes Longimanus
As many as wished
could return &
complete the
Temple. Allowed to
have own civil
magistrates.
Problems with intermarriage
Allowed to
rebuild the
walls around
the city.
Wall rebuilt in
52 days.
Malachi
Darius
Xerxes
Artaxerxes I
Darius II
Secydianus
Xerxes II
• Killed by
Darius II
• Murdered by
Secydianus
after a 45 day
reign
Elephantine
Elephantine Papyri
• Written in Aramaic
• Papyrus -- written on both sides
• Official letter of petition -- request to
rebuild place of worship
• Written 407 B.C.
• Discovered January 1, 1907
431 - 404 B.C.
• Athens vs.
Sparta
• Sea vs. land
war
• Spartan victory
Darius
Xerxes
Artaxerxes I
Darius II
Cyrus III
(Xenophon)
Secydianus
Artaerxes II
Xerxes II

Cunaxa
Darius II
Cyrus III
Artaerxes II
(Xenophon)
Artaxerxes III
(Ochos)
(Bagoas)
Darius III
Arses
Discuss the three types
of freedom:
• National Freedom
• Individual Freedom
• Political Freedom
Which types were found in Persia?
Which types were found in Greece?
Which types were found in Israel?