Persia World Civilization

OBJECTIVES:



1.  Be able to discuss the most noteworthy achievements of the

Persian empire and its most noteworthy rulers.



2.  Be able to discuss the career and beliefs of the prophet

Zoroaster.



3. Be able to discuss the influence of Zoroastrianism on other

religions such as Christianity.  



4.  Be able to discuss the influence of the Persian political

structure on later rulers such as Alexander the Great.



FOOD FOR THOUGHT:



What similarities does the teaching of Zoroaster bear to

Christianity?  



Why did Zoroaster call evil the "lie"?



What could explain the proliferation of great religious thinkers in

the Axis Age?



     The prophet Zoroaster was another of the great figures of the

Axis Age.  The pronounced dualism of his thought influenced later

Christianity.  Though not very long-lived, this unique religion was

one of the great contributions of the axis era.

                           

OUTLINE





I.  Geography



II.  Migrations of the Indo Europeans:



          i.  The Medes and the Persians

          ii.  unification of the Medes in 8th century b.c.

          iii.                conquest of Persians

          iv.            sack of Nineva in 612 b.c.



III.  Fall of Medes and Rise of the Persians --



               A.  Cyrus and conquest in 550 b.c.

               i. 546 b.c. -- conquest of Greek colonies on Asia

                              Minor

               ii.       sea trade

               iii. 539 b.c. -- conquest of Babylon

                    a)   ended Babylonian Captivity of Jews

                    b)   began Achaemenid empire

               B.  Darius I (522-486 b.c.)

                    i.   uniform coinage

                    ii.  standard weights and measures

                    iii. postal service

                    iv.  calendar from Egypt

                    v.   code of law

                    vi.  expeditions into eastern Europe to

                              Danube River

                    vii. India -- Hindush satrap

                              from Indus River to Nile 

                    viii.     proposed canal from Nile to Red Sea



IV.  Characteristics of Persia

     A. government

               i.  satraps --

               ii.       governor

               iii.      military -- the Immortals

               iv.       King elected by gods, received tribute

     B.  Eclectic society

               i.  toleration

               ii.  trade

               iii. Royal Road

               iv.  adoption of official language-- Aramaic

               v.  capitals -- Susa and Persepolis

               vi.  PAX ARCHAEMENICA

     C. influence on Alexander the Great



V.  Zoroatrianism



          i.  Zarathustra

          ii.  The Avesta

          iii.  Dualism

               a)   Ahura Mazda

               b)   Ahriman

          iv.  Traditions

               a)   Judgment day

               b)   treatment of the dead

               c)   priesthood -- Magi

          v.  Cult of Mithras

          vi.  influences on Christianity

               a)   battle between good and evil

               b)   life after death

               c)   good works

          vii.  the decline and resurgence of Zoroastrinisn