Ancient Persia Flashcards
What was Cyrus the founder of?
Ancient Persia
What was Cyrus the II known as?
Cyrus The Great
Who were the first people the Persians conquered under Cyrus II’s rule?
Medes
Which two nomad tribes moved into southwest Asia?
Medes and Persians
Where did the Medes and Persians settle?
South of the Caspian Sea (modern Iran)
What is the name of the Dynasty that Cyrus began?
Achaemenid period of Persia
Where was Cyrus’ grand royal tomb located?
His capital city - Pasargadae
Who came to power after the death of Cyrus?
His son Cambyses
What was Cambyses’ most important success?
Conquering Egypt
How did Cambyses die?
While in Egypt he heard of a rebellion starting in Persia and on his way home he died of an injury caused by an accident with his own sword
Who stopped the rebellion in Persia?
Darius and some nobles
Who became ruler after Cambyses death?
Darius
What name did Darius become known by?
Darius the Great
Why was Darius known as Darius the Great?
Because of his long and successful rule.
What happened to the Persian empire under Darius’s rule?
It reached its greatest size and power and became a world superpower.
Under which King did the Persian Empire reach its greatest size and power?
Darius the Great
How did Darius form his government?
Formed a Government in one central city then divided the conquered lands into 20 provinces.
Each province set up by Darius was known as a…?
Satrapy
What was assigned to each satrapy?
A governor or satrap.
What did the satrapy’ responsibilities include?
Collecting tribute
What is a government called where local governments are subject to a main authority?
Central government.
What is a central government?
A government called where local governments are subject to a main authority.
From which city to which city did Darius move the capital?
Pasargadae to the city of Susa
What did Darius begin building that later became his capital city?
Persepolis
How did Darius keep his empire connected?
Built and maintained a good road system.
What was the longest road called that stretched over 1,600 miles from Susa to Sardis?
Royal Road
How were messages relayed along the road?
Royal messengers were stationed along the road and carried the messages in really style.
Who was a famous historian from Greece who described the Royal Road and the Kings messengers who travelled it?
Herodotus
Darius introduced a new common currency for his empire. What was the name of the coin stamped with his image on it?
Daric
What was the silver coin called?
Shekel
What was the name for the ten thousand soldiers who were professionally trained and paid to be Darius’ own private special force?
Immortals
How did Darius keep the empire organized and protected?
By introducing a central government to which the local governments reported.
He connected all his territories by building roads.
Had royal messengers to relay messages between territories.
Introduced one common currency.
Had a military of professionally trained soldiers that were paid to keep the empire under control.
What encouraged the Persians to develop a strong cavalry for warfare?
It’s mountainous terrain
Where is ancient Persia located?
In the middles east in what is now known as Iran
What two nations did Darius II conquer?
Lydia and the Chaldean Empire
What two things encouraged trade during the rule of Darius?
A common currency and a road system
How did Darius show tolerance to his defeated enemies?
He let them speak their own language.
He allowed them to make sanctuaries for their Gods.
He allowed the Israelites to rebuild their temple.
How long is a marathon race?
26.2 miles
Name of a Persian province?
Satrapy
Name of priests in the Persian Empire?
Magi
Another name for an interpretation?
Rendering
The Kings own special military force?
Immortals
What kind of government did Darius set up to govern the whole empire?
Central government
Who won the Battle of Marathon?
Greeks
Who won the Battle of Thermopylae?
Persians
Who won the Battle of Salamis?
Greeks
Who wanted to rid the the culture of Greek influences and bring back what was Persian?
Sassanid kings
What encouraged trade during the rule of Darius?
Common currency
How did the Cyrus cylinder become an important testimony to the truth of Gods word?
By describing how Cyrus allowed the Israelites to return and rebuild God’s house
What was Daniel’s interpretation of the handwriting on the Chaldean Palace wall?
God had numbered the days left in the Chaldean kingdom and it had come to an end.
What event led to the Persian wars?
The rebellion of Greek city-states in Asia Minor against the Persians
Is the Avesta the holy writings of Zoroastrianism?
Yes
Which empires did Cyrus conquer?
Medes, Chaldeans, Lydia
What is the Hebrew name for the Persian king Xerxes?
Ahasuerus
Did God give Esther favor with Xerxes and as a result brought about the deliverance of His people?
Yes
The name for the Persian culture that made its way into other lands?
Hellenistic
Who was the founder of the main religion of ancient Persia?
Zoroaster
Which ruler blended some Persian customs with Greek culture?
Alexander the Great
Who was the ruler of the Persian empire at its greatest size and power?
Darius the Great
Which ruler showed the most tolerance to his subjects by letting them keep their own customs and religious beliefs?
Cyrus II
How did Darius keep the empire connected?
By building and maintaining a road system
Who wrote the quote about the messengers that did their job and that not rain, snow, heat or dark of night could stop the couriers from doing their jobs?
Herodotus
What is the difference between Zoroastrianism and Biblical truth?
- Z: recognizes only one God but not the God of the Bible
- Z: their good God is equal with the evil being he battles / C: our True God is ruler over all and Satan can’t do anything unless God permits it
- Z: works in this life determines what his eternity will be like / C: Bible teaches that where man spends his eternity depends on his relationship with Jesus Christ
- Z: battle rages btwn good and evil and man must choose a side / C: all people are born sinful and need God to save them from their sins through Jesus Christ
