2010+Ancient+Persia+3

Name of Civilization: The Persian Empire
Dates (when this empire existed, in BCE / CE) 539 BC - 330 BCE

Map

Complete the acronym below by adding 3-4 bullet points and an image that relate to your civilization:

G- Josh
 * Cyrus was the ruler of the persian empire in 550 BCE. He also conquered Mesopotamia, becoming the first Shah, or king of peria.Cyrus' government made himself the top king, but he made both Median and Persian notables throughout his administration. Cyrus' government was made to keep the admiration of the local population. When Cyrus conquered a place he made the original king of that land a lower king, making Cyrus the higher king.
 * Cambyses ll was the son of Cyrus. He was the next ruler of Persia. Also, he conquered egypt in 525 BCE.
 * Darius was another very good ruler in Persia. He expanded Persia into west into Europe, and conquered Greece in 513 BCE. Also, he built a huge road system, and canal from the Red Sea to the Nile.




 * Zoroastrianism is an islamic based religion. From the teachings of Zoroaster (Zarathustra to his followers). In about 1200 B.C. Zoroaster said that he saw visions from god. Zoroastrianism was the official religion of Persia. All other religions, or faiths, were persecuted.
 * Zoroaster called the god he saw Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrianism was one of the first monotheistic religions. In the 17th century, the religion of Zoroastrian suffered from Shiism practiced by the Safavid Empire. Zoroastrians thought of fire and clean water as a sacred gift from god, or Ahura Mazda
 * Zoroastrians who left and went to india were known as Parsis. The important text of Zoroastrians was called the Avesta. the Avesta included words of Zarathustra. the words were in five hymns called the Gathas. Fire temples were found in this religion. Below is a picture of a fire temple.



E- Sara

 * ==== To improve trade Darius I created a common set of weights and measures, which caused revenues to increase. ====
 * ==== Coins were also introduced, which brought traders and merchants into a form of money. ====
 * ==== Most citizens were originally a part of a Barter economy, which is exchanging goods or services for different goods or services, however because of the coins trading goods were replaced by using money ====
 * [[image:http://www.romancoins.info/Dareike375-332BC.jpg width="500" height="320"]]

A- Sara

 * ====Persian art is known for its architecture and production of miniatures. But best known today for ornate carpets. Although the wide diversity of outside influences make it hard to figure out distinct characteristics. Persian art is generally known by its firm lines, amazing detail, and very good color. ====
 * ==== Egyptians were often workers also. Medes as gold and silversmiths. Silver was brought in from Egypt, gold was brought in from Bactria and India. Armlets and necklets were worn by men and women, and can be seen on Persepolis reliefs, after the Achaemenid period they became charateristic of Parthian and Sassanian clothes. ====
 * The ancient Achaemenids were skilled metalworkers .They were the best with gold.

= =
 * ====Carpet weaving has a long history in Iran .The oldest carpet in the world is from the Achaemenid period. This is the Pazyryk Carpet. Records show amazing carpets Persian palaces of the Achaemenid period. This was 2500 years ago. Alexander the Great said was dazzled by the carpets in the tomb of Cyrus the Great at Pasargade when the Greeks robbed his tomb . ====



= = T- Nicole
 * Persian water wheel raising water from the Nile River. Advancements in this irrigation technology really improved agricultural output in the regions.
 * Darius adapted laws from the people he conquered. He had hundreds of miles of roads built or repaired, which made it easier to communicate with different parts of the empire.
 * In war, the Persians used different kinds of bows. Including the composite recurve bow, which could shoot arrows capable of penetrating a shield and reaching a distance up to 900 yards.



S- Nicole
 * Higher class people receive a better education in archery. Persian coins stamped with images of archers symbolized the importance of these individuals to the state.
 * The Persians were also distinguished for their expertise in horse racing and especially in chogan. It is unknown when this started but it probably began in the fifth century BCE as a training exercise for soldiers and evolved into a game.
 * Persian sports included archery, horse racing, and a type of polo known as chogan. There is no real evidence for sporting contests in archery, although it can be assumed by other earlier military states that competed to test the proficiency of these ancient archers.



 Summary of your civilizations achievements: ====Darius, one of the rulers of Persia, made a reliable postal service, and standardized all weights and measures. These accomplishments allowed merchants of the empire to guarantee their shipments, as well as allowing the government to make taxation cause revenues to increase. ====