The Persian Empire was established by Cyrus the Great in the 6th century BCE. He allowed subject peoples to keep their own customs and institutions, and was seen as tolerant and law-giving. Darius the Great expanded the empire to its greatest extent, building Persepolis and establishing a taxation and road system. Zoroastrianism emerged during this time, teaching a dualistic battle between good and evil with Ahura Mazda representing good and Ahriman representing evil.

3. The Persian Empire

4. Cyrus the Great
580 – 529 B. C. E.
 A tolerant ruler he
allowed
different cultures within
his
empire to keep theirown
institutions.
 The Greeks called hima
“Law-Giver.”
 The Jews called him“the
anointed of the Lord.” (In
537,

5. Darius the Great
(526 – 485 B. C. E.)
 Built Persepolis.
 He extended the
Persian Empire to
the
Indus Riverin
northern
India. (2 mil. s.q.
mi.)
 Built a canal in

6. Darius the Great
(526 – 485 B. C. E.)
 Established a tax-collecting
system.
 Divided the empire into districts
called SATRAPIES.
 Built the great Royal Road
system.
 Established a complex postal
system.
 Created a networkof spies

7. Ancient Persepolis

8. Persepolis

9. The People of Persepolis

10. Persian “Royal Road”

11. Persian Archers & Soldiers

12. Zarathustra [Zoroaster], 6c
BCE:
GoodThoughts, GoodDeed, GoodWords
“Tree of Life”

13. Extent of Zoroastrianism

14. Dualistic Battle of
Good vs. Evil
Ahura Mazda
“Holy Spirit”
Ahriman
“Destructive
Spirit”

15. Zend-Avesta
(The “Bookof Law”)
The “Sacred Fire”  the force to
fight
evil.