Persian Empire

The Persian Empire was the largest empire the world had ever known at that point in time. From 539 - 330 B.C. the lands streaching from Greece to India were all united under one single government. To better rule this land, the Persians divided their kingdom into provinces called satrapies with an individual satrap acting as the ruler for that particular province. Zoroastrianism also took root in the Persian Empire which still has a small number of followers today. The Persians were eventually conqured by Alexander the Great's army during the 330s B.C. Use the links below to read about the accomplishments of this fantastic empire!

Click here for the Persian Empire Power Point Notes!

Useful Links

1) Once again, the British Museum offers the best site about the Persian Empire!

http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/forgottenempire/index.html

2) A quick introduction about the events of the Persian Empire.

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/westasia/history/persians.htm

3) A very detailed account of all of the events and accomplishments of the Persian Empire. Excellent maps and timelines!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Persian_Empire

4) Very easy to read summary of the lives of Cyrus the Great and King Darius.

http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/middle_east/persia.html

Vocabulary

satrapies - the twenty states into which Darius divided the Persian Empire

satrap - official who ruled a state in the Persian Empire under Darius

Zoroastrianism - Persian religion founded by Zoroaster; taught that humans had the freedom to choose between right and wrong, and that goodness would triumph in the end