Middle East Persian Chart---Rodrigo Rovner
Political- Was mainly run by kings. Included satraps, which were governors that administered a specific region. Generals would supervise military and the state secretary would keep official records. during this time period, several Persian states dominated the region, beginning with Medes. Then after, a non-Persian Neo-Babylonian empire dominated and later the Achaemenid Empire, which came to be known as the first Persian empire. a Very famous leader included Alexander the Great, which expanded Middle east rule through many great conquests, but was short lived. In the 1st century BCE, the Roman Republic expanded its rule across most of the Eastern Mediterranean which included the Near East. With the introduction of the Roman Empire, areas, although not under the direct rule of the empire, were influenced much by the rule. Center of government was the king, whose authority was extended by a bureaucracy led by Persian nobles.
Economy- Used gold and silver coinage system. Because the land was so poor for agriculture, Persia's economy was based on herding. Also, because of the sudden acquisition of much land including Egypt, Lydia, Babylon, and other gold-rich areas. The Middle-East controlled the grasslands of Anatolia, trade routes in all directions, rich agricultural areas in Mesopotamia, and lastly it controlled rich deposits of metals and other resources. The Middle-East, under rule of the Great King Darius, created the first successful widespread use of coins. Also created the first taxation system under Achaemenid Empire.
Religion- In 500 BCE, Middle-East became first region to become acquainted with monotheism. Cities such as Alexandria and Edessa became important centers for Christian scholarship. By the 5th century CE, Christianity was the main religion of the Middle-East. Zoroastrianism was the major religion in Persia at the time. This religion included the belief in 2 opposing gods. Zoroastrianism was introduced to the Middle East after the death of Cyrus the Great. The original Zoroastrian books were burned during the invasion of Alexander of Macedonia.
Society- The upper class consisted of wealthy merchants, senior officials, and ruling families. Lower classes consisted of priests, military people, and aristocrats. The lowest class consisted of traders, peasants, and slaves. Sons were clearly preferred over females, as sons would grow into men that would help with agriculture, political matters, and other positions in society, whereas women were not allowed such freedom and restricted to do work in the home, such as weaving textiles (unless they were women of a royal family). Male children were raised and taught never to lie and to always tell the truth about everything.
Innovations- Created the world's first taxation system under Achaemenid Empire rule, and also the first cultivation of spinach. Also invented the first refrigerator called a Yakhchal. Main languages of the Middle-East included Old Perian, Aramaic, Elamite, and Akkadian. Elamite was the official language of the Persian Empire in 400 BCE. Boys would not see their fathers until they were 5 years old. Then, at the age of five, their formal education would begin. Kharazmi was a Persian mathematician and founder of Algebra.
Art/architecture- Zoroastrian temples were built to be used for worship and social gathering. Also, mausoleums were built in honor of fallen kings (i.e. the burial tomb of Cyrus the Great). Cyrus the Great's tomb was placed in the Pasargadae gardens and surrounded by trees and ornamental shrubs as well as a group of Achaemenian protectors nearby to protect the tomb from theft and damage. The opulent city of Persepolis was home to many splendid structures built in Persia. The Sassanid Empire revived Achaemenid tradition by construction temples dedicated to fire as well as monumental palaces. Sculpture was a very common art form, as they would depict the realism of classical Europe.
Near Geographic- Alexander the Great led a series of conquest in the late 300's BCE that expanded the territorial rule of the entire Middle East. He conquered the entire Middle-East and part of North-East Africa. He also managed to capture part of South-East Europe. The Middle-East is mountainous in some regions and also has areas that have rich soil for agricultural purposes. Middle-East is located south-east of Europe, north-east of Africa. It is part of East Asia. There are various rivers in the Middle-East that allow for transportation and source for agriculture.
Sources:
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Persia/
http://www.parstimes.com/women/women_ancient_persia.html
http://prezi.com/vrdvlkb05knt/the-gender-roles-of-persia-rome-teotihuacan-and-maya-600-bce-600-ce/
http://www.essential-humanities.net/world-art/persian/
http://www.hierarchystructure.com/ancient-persian-social-hierarchy/
Economy- Used gold and silver coinage system. Because the land was so poor for agriculture, Persia's economy was based on herding. Also, because of the sudden acquisition of much land including Egypt, Lydia, Babylon, and other gold-rich areas. The Middle-East controlled the grasslands of Anatolia, trade routes in all directions, rich agricultural areas in Mesopotamia, and lastly it controlled rich deposits of metals and other resources. The Middle-East, under rule of the Great King Darius, created the first successful widespread use of coins. Also created the first taxation system under Achaemenid Empire.
Religion- In 500 BCE, Middle-East became first region to become acquainted with monotheism. Cities such as Alexandria and Edessa became important centers for Christian scholarship. By the 5th century CE, Christianity was the main religion of the Middle-East. Zoroastrianism was the major religion in Persia at the time. This religion included the belief in 2 opposing gods. Zoroastrianism was introduced to the Middle East after the death of Cyrus the Great. The original Zoroastrian books were burned during the invasion of Alexander of Macedonia.
Society- The upper class consisted of wealthy merchants, senior officials, and ruling families. Lower classes consisted of priests, military people, and aristocrats. The lowest class consisted of traders, peasants, and slaves. Sons were clearly preferred over females, as sons would grow into men that would help with agriculture, political matters, and other positions in society, whereas women were not allowed such freedom and restricted to do work in the home, such as weaving textiles (unless they were women of a royal family). Male children were raised and taught never to lie and to always tell the truth about everything.
Innovations- Created the world's first taxation system under Achaemenid Empire rule, and also the first cultivation of spinach. Also invented the first refrigerator called a Yakhchal. Main languages of the Middle-East included Old Perian, Aramaic, Elamite, and Akkadian. Elamite was the official language of the Persian Empire in 400 BCE. Boys would not see their fathers until they were 5 years old. Then, at the age of five, their formal education would begin. Kharazmi was a Persian mathematician and founder of Algebra.
Art/architecture- Zoroastrian temples were built to be used for worship and social gathering. Also, mausoleums were built in honor of fallen kings (i.e. the burial tomb of Cyrus the Great). Cyrus the Great's tomb was placed in the Pasargadae gardens and surrounded by trees and ornamental shrubs as well as a group of Achaemenian protectors nearby to protect the tomb from theft and damage. The opulent city of Persepolis was home to many splendid structures built in Persia. The Sassanid Empire revived Achaemenid tradition by construction temples dedicated to fire as well as monumental palaces. Sculpture was a very common art form, as they would depict the realism of classical Europe.
Near Geographic- Alexander the Great led a series of conquest in the late 300's BCE that expanded the territorial rule of the entire Middle East. He conquered the entire Middle-East and part of North-East Africa. He also managed to capture part of South-East Europe. The Middle-East is mountainous in some regions and also has areas that have rich soil for agricultural purposes. Middle-East is located south-east of Europe, north-east of Africa. It is part of East Asia. There are various rivers in the Middle-East that allow for transportation and source for agriculture.
Sources:
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Persia/
http://www.parstimes.com/women/women_ancient_persia.html
http://prezi.com/vrdvlkb05knt/the-gender-roles-of-persia-rome-teotihuacan-and-maya-600-bce-600-ce/
http://www.essential-humanities.net/world-art/persian/
http://www.hierarchystructure.com/ancient-persian-social-hierarchy/