Persians

•Persians were open minded rulers and much more tolerant than other leaders in the Middle East •Largest empire of the Ancient Middle East •The Persians ruled over 50 million people •Developed efficient "pony express" mail delivery system •Built irrigation system •Treated subjects better than earlier rulers had which influenced Alexander the Great and the Arabs •Center of Achaemenid Empire Dynasties and Empires
 * Persia is from Iran.**
 * **What were the major accomplishments and contributions of your civilization?**

•Believed in Gods of nature such as the sun and sky and believed Gods had social powers •Used underground tunnels to avoid evaporation by the hot sun •Built roads between the cities in the Parthian Empire. The Persians used the roads to deliver mail quickly by relays of horsemen Royal Road
 * **What made your civilization unique?**

•Religion of Zoroastriansim
-The ancient religion was changed by a prophet by the name of Zoroaster who taught a faith built upon good thoughts, words, and deeds. He created the image of heaven and hell. The religion emphasized an all powerful god called Ahura Mazda, "the wise spirit." Zoroastrians, Zoroaster's followers, eventually spread the religion around Persia. Zoroaster's teachings are found in a holy book called the //Avesta//. **Symbol of Ahura Mazda** **Zoroaster**
 * **What historical events or people define your civilization?[[image:persia.gif align="center"]]**

-Enlarged Median Empire by taking control of the Kindgom of Lydia around 545 B.C. -Conquered Babylonia in 539 B.C. and freed captive Jews there -Created Achaemenid Empire -In 540s B.C. Cyrus conquered the Medes and added Mesopotania, Syria, Cannan, and the Phoenician cities to their empire
 * •Cyrus the Great**

-Conquered Egypt and brought all of Middle East under Persian control -Became king in 522 B.C. -Reorganized government under Satrapy System -Developed system of taxation -Expanded Persian Empire in South Eastern Europe and Southern Pakistan -Built palaces at two of his capitals: Persepolis and Susa. -Invaded Greece in 480 B.C., defeated force of Spartans and Greeks in Battle of Thermopylae -Driven from Europe in 479 B.C. •Alexander the Great defeated Persian army at Battle of Arbela which ended Achaemenid Empire
 * •Cambyses (Cyrus' son)**
 * •Darius I**
 * Palace of Darius: Persepolis**
 * •Xerxes (Darius' son)**

-Architecture, calligraphy, music, painting and different types of crafts are all very important to the people of Persia. -Calligraphy is very highly prized in Iran and sometimes is the most special. -Some of the favorite motifs are the geometrical shapes including medallions, grapevines, floral and other complex beautiful patterns. -Important animals that are used in different pieces of artwork include lions, elephants, peacocks, phoenixes and griffins. •In 539 B.C. the Persians under Cyrus II came from the mountains to the northeast, seized Babylon, and then conquered the rest of Chaldean Empire. •Conquered the Elamites and adopted many of their customs •Invaded Greece in 480 B.C. and defeated force of Spartans and Greeks in Battle of Thermopylae •Alexander the Great conquered Persia however agreed with Cyrus' former rules
 * . What arts and architectural pieces are import to your civilization?**
 * **What historical connections were made between your civilizations and other civilizations?**