Chapter 7: Empires Of Persia Flashcards
Who was Cyrus? Describe his reign
Cyrus was the king of Persian tribes. He initiated a rebellion against his median overloaded and expanded his influence that stretched from India to the borders of Egypt. He would’ve attempted to conquer Egypt but he was killed in battle.
Who was Darius? Describe his reign
He was a younger kinsman of Cyrus who expanded the empire from the Indus River to the Aegan Sea to the Nile River. He centralized his administration due to the fact that his empire was so large and diverse.
What was Persepolis?
The capital of the Persian empire that served as an administrative center and a monument to the Achaemenid empire.
What was the Achaemenid method of administration?
Darius divided the realm into 23 satrapies that were governed by satraps. Most satraps were Persians, but local officials filled almost all administrative posts below the level of satrap.
How did the Achaemenids keep their method of administration in check?
Each satrapy had a contingent of military officers and tax collectors who served as balances to the satraps’ power and independence. They also used official spies that had surprise visits on satrapies.
How did the Achaemenids use taxes, laws, and coins to their advantage?
Each satrapy had to pay a certain amount in taxes annually to support the empire. They created a standardization of coins that facilitated trade. They also modified laws in each satrapy so they could harmonize them with the legal principles observed in the empire as a whole
Satrap/satrapy
Satrap: governor of a satrapy
Satrapy: administrative and taxation district governed by a satrap.
What did the Achaemenid rulers do for communication/road systems?
They built a road system known as the Royal Road that stretched over 1600 miles. They then organized a courier service and postal system.
How was Darius able to control such large areas? What changed that?
Both Cyrus and Darius were very tolerant of other cultures and allowed conquered lands to have their own beliefs and values. However their successor Xerxes sought to impose his own values which caused much rebellion.
Describe the Persian wars
The Persian wars were between the Ionian Greeks and the Persians. The Greeks rebelled against the Persians and started small scale wars that lasted for 150 years
Who was Alexander of Macedonia? Describe his rule
Alexander invaded Persia with an army that was much more sophisticated. He took control of Persia but kept the administrative structure and confirmed the appointment of many satraps. Once he died the Seleucid, Parthian, and Sassanid empires formed.
How did the development of a cosmopolitan empire bring complexity to Persian society?
The requirement of imperial administration called for a new class of educated bureaucrats. This caused for more positions/jobs to be formed and allowed for people to come into power.
What was the Persian free class system?
Free classes were individuals who were free but did not enjoy the privileges of leaders and bureaucrats. This included everyone who wasn’t in power or a slave.
What were qanat?
Underground canals that allowed for the irrigation of crops without losing large quantities of water through evaporation
Describe Persian agricultural production.
Most years there was a surplus of crops, which meant they were sold or given to the capital
