The Beginning
Map of the Persian Empire
The Persian Empire was located in present day Iran, and was based on tolerance and diplomacy. Before the Persians rose to power several small kingdoms occupied the region. Out of those regions the Medes and the Persians were the strongest, and eventually would become great rivals. At the head of the Persian Empire was King Cyrus. Cyrus was a military genius, and expanded his empire by conquering the small neighboring kingdoms that surrounded his land in 550 BC. By conquering these small kingdoms with his strong military, Cyrus gained the Persians attention from nearby empires. But Cyrus wasn't like most conquers, whenever the Persians conquer a kingdom Cyrus didn't let his men loot or burn the towns. He also allowed the Jews to return to Jerusalem and under Persian rule the Jews rebuilt their city and temples. With Cyrus as their king the Persian Empire now spanned more than 2,000 miles and with their wealth in natural resources like gold, silver, copper, lead, and blue lapis, the Persians established a thriving trade system with partners from the east and west.
After Cyrus
Cyrus died in 530 BC while fighting of invaders, his successor Cambyses was also his son, but unlike Cyrus Cambyses scored the Egyptians, and burned their images. Cambyses died after only eight years of rule and immediately following his death the Persian Empire broke out in riots. Leaving Cambyses's successor, Darius, to rebuild the Persian Empire.
Darius was one of the kings bodyguards before he took control of the throne. Darius spent the first three years of his rule putting down revolts and the next few years establishing a well-organized and efficient administration. After he brought peace and stability to his empire, Darius turned his attention to expanding his rule. He conquered Egypt and Anatolia in the west, part of India in the east, and the Fertile Crescent in the center. To control his growing empire Darius divided it into 20 provinces. Although these 20 provinces spoke the own language and practiced their own religion, Darius still had absolute control of the empire. To help enforce his government, Darius installed governors called satraps and appointed military leaders and tax collectors in each province. To make sure these officers stayed loyal, Darius sent out inspectors know as the "King's Eyes and Ears"
Darius was one of the kings bodyguards before he took control of the throne. Darius spent the first three years of his rule putting down revolts and the next few years establishing a well-organized and efficient administration. After he brought peace and stability to his empire, Darius turned his attention to expanding his rule. He conquered Egypt and Anatolia in the west, part of India in the east, and the Fertile Crescent in the center. To control his growing empire Darius divided it into 20 provinces. Although these 20 provinces spoke the own language and practiced their own religion, Darius still had absolute control of the empire. To help enforce his government, Darius installed governors called satraps and appointed military leaders and tax collectors in each province. To make sure these officers stayed loyal, Darius sent out inspectors know as the "King's Eyes and Ears"
The Persian Legacy
After 200 years of rule the Persian Empire fell to Alexander the Great, but the Persians left behind a great legacy. The Royal Road was an excellent system of roads the King Darius used to receive and send information to the 20 provinces, and after his death was used for many years. It ran from Susa in Persia to Sardis in Anatolia, which was a total of 1,677 miles. Darius also created currency in the Persian Empire. These coins, because of their standard value, allowed the people of the Persian Empire to buy and sell goods without the need of measuring gold and silver by the pound. These two tools were just a small part of what the Persians left behind.
