Lesson 6: Ancient Persia and Greece

1

• Lesson 6 Ancient Persia and Greece
• Lesson Question How did Ancient Persia and
  Greece change the course of ancient history?
• Lesson Objectives The students will understand
  the reasons for the rise of the Persian Empire
  and the main principles of its religious
  ideology, Zoroastrianism. The students will also
  understand the origins and character of the Greek
  city-state as well as the nature of Greek
  philosophy.

2

• The Ancient Persians
• Indo-Europeans 17th century
• Medes 612-550
• Achaemenid Dynasty 550-330
• Cyrus r. 550-530
• Cambyses 530-522
• Darius I 521-487
• Aryan Polytheism
• Magi
• Zoroaster (late 7th century)
• Gathas
• Ahura Mazda Angra Mainyu
• Good vs. Evil
• Dualism
• Persian Empire
• Satrapies Satraps

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Indo-European Migrations
4
Median Empire
5
Persian Empire
6
Ruins of a Zoroastrian Temple
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Persepolis
8
Persepolis
9
Persepolis
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Persepolis Relief
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Persepolis Relief
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Inscription of Darius I at Behistun
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• (1) I am Darius Dâryavuš, the great king, king
  of kings, the king of Persia Pârsa, the king of
  countries, the son of Hystaspes, the grandson of
  Arsames, the Achaemenid.
• (5) King Darius says By the grace of Ahuramazda
  am I king Ahuramazda has granted me the kingdom.
• (6) King Darius says These are the countries
  which are subject unto me, and by the grace of
  Ahuramazda I became king of them Persia Pârsa,
  Elam Ûvja, Babylonia Bâbiruš, Assyria
  Ahurâ, Arabia Arabâya, Egypt Mudrâya, the
  countries by the Sea, Lydia Sparda, the Greeks
  Yauna, Media Mâda, Armenia Armina,
  Cappadocia Katpatuka, Parthia Parthava,
  Drangiana Zraka, Aria Haraiva, Chorasmia
  Uvârazmîy, Bactria Bâxtriš, Sogdia Suguda,
  Gandara Gadâra, Scythia Saka, Sattagydia
  Thataguš, Arachosia Harauvatiš and Maka
  Maka twenty-three lands in all.
• (7) King Darius says These are the countries
  which are subject to me by the grace of
  Ahuramazda they became subject to me they
  brought tribute unto me. Whatsoever commands have
  been laid on them by me, by night or by day, have
  been performed by them.
• (8) King Darius says Within these lands,
  whosoever was a friend, him have I surely
  protected whosoever was hostile, him have I
  utterly destroyed. By the grace of Ahuramazda
  these lands have conformed to my decrees as it
  was commanded unto them by me, so was it done.
• (9) King Darius says Ahuramazda has granted unto
  me this empire. Ahuramazda brought me help, until
  I gained this empire by the grace of Ahuramazda
  do I hold this empire.

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• Formative Assessment
• How was the Persian Empire different from other
  ancient Near Eastern empires?
• How did Zoroastrianism arise and what were its
  main principles?