Transcript Document
U2LG1.5 – Classical Civilizations: PERSIA Learning Obj. 1.5: Describe the major political, religious/philosophical and cultural influences of classical Greece and Rome including the origins and central ideas of Christianity and the legal tradition. (3A, 19B, 21B,22B, 25B) What is my goal? How am I going to achieve this goal? PERSIA • empire stretched from eastern Europe to Pakistan and from southern Russia to Sudan (modern boundaries) • Unification of imperial power dividing territory into provinces and using of a strong military to maintain power • connected by a Royal Road and network of roads where king messengers and traders would travel • creation of an advanced postal system • use of local officials called satraps administered for the emperor • codification of public law and created system of royal judges ZOROASTRIANISM • Religious/ Philosophical Influences • Zoroastrianism was the official religion, yet tolerant of other belief systems • Zoroastrianism ideas may have spread to Hebrews and influenced early Judaism Economics • The Persian Empire learned the practice of using coins, which allowed them to develop a money economy, moving away from a barter system. Cultural • limited original sources remain, so most information gained from the writings of the Greeks • Persian language • The Persian Wars also referred to the rebellions by Greek citystates who were fighting for their independence. Persian wars (499-479 BCE) • Who was the Persian ruler? Darius I • Athens came to the aid of the Ionians by sending some warships: Persians defeated Ionia • Why did Darius decide to attack Athens? • Revenge for Athens helping the Ionians against the Persians • 492 BCE Darius sent an army around the northern coast of the Aegean Sea. • A storm destroyed his supply ships forcing him to return home. • 490 BCE Darius decide to attack again • Xerxes defeated in 479 BCE • Persians retreated to Asia Minor for good. Battle of Marathon • Persians were defeated • Fidipepides ran 26 miles from marathon to Athens announcing the victory (dropped dead). • 486 BCE Xerxes (son) became Darius successor Delian League • Defense alliance formed against Persia by Greek city-states. • Pursued the attack against the Persian Empire, eventually liberating virtually all of the Greek states in the Aegean Sea from Persian control. [Corel] The Parthenon in Athens, Greece was commissioned by Pericles and dedicated to the goddess Athena. Built during 447–432 BCE, the temple typifies the Doric architectural style. Age of Pericles • Period between 461-429 BCE • Under Pericles Greek culture reached its peak • The Parthenon was the most famous structure built under Pericles. • Temple of Athena • Athenians became attached to a Democratic system called Direct Democracy. • 1). People participated directly in government decision making through mass meeting. Great Peloponnesian War • Greeks became divide between Athens & Spartans Empires. • Spartans feared Athenian growing Empire. • 2nd year of the war a plague broke out in Athens, killing more than 1/3 of the population including Pericles (429 BCE). • Athens finally defeated in 404 BCE