The
Middle East
By
Comrade Matt Maldonado
Political: Persia, the
leading force in this region of the world during this period of history, was an
imperial monarchy led by emperors such as Cyrus, Xerxes, and Darius. These
emperors had absolute power and were seen as the “king of kings”. In 1490 and
1480 BCE, the Persians attempted to invade Greece by land and sea. Both
attempts failed. This opened the door for Greek influence and the ringing in of
the Hellenistic period. Persia was steamrolled by a united Greek force led by
Alexander the Great on its way to India. By 200 BCE Persia was bordered in the
east by the Roman Empire who looked to dig deeper into Asia. After the fall of
Rome this became the Byzantine Empire.
Emperor Xerxes http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Fragment_of_wall_decoration_from_the_Palace_of_Xerxes,_guardsman_in_procession,_486-465_BC,_Achaemenid,_Iran,_Persepolis,_gray_limestone_-_Cleveland_Museum_of_Art_-_DSC08093.JPG
Economic: Persia was originally an empire based on herding, due to its difficulty farming because of its poor soil. As Persia expanded through conquest, it simply absorbed the economic practices of its newly claimed territory. The acquisition of Mesopotamia was a huge plus because it allowed for agricultural growth. The most commonly grown crops in Persia were barely, wheat, peas, mustard, and dates. By far the biggest economic attribute of the Persian economy was the merchant. Persia was perfectly places on the Silk Road, enabling it to be a middle man between Rome and China. In fact, the word bazaar originates from Persia, meaning outdoor market.
Economic: Persia was originally an empire based on herding, due to its difficulty farming because of its poor soil. As Persia expanded through conquest, it simply absorbed the economic practices of its newly claimed territory. The acquisition of Mesopotamia was a huge plus because it allowed for agricultural growth. The most commonly grown crops in Persia were barely, wheat, peas, mustard, and dates. By far the biggest economic attribute of the Persian economy was the merchant. Persia was perfectly places on the Silk Road, enabling it to be a middle man between Rome and China. In fact, the word bazaar originates from Persia, meaning outdoor market.
Economic:
Persia in relative to the Silk Road
http://mcchalsclasses.wikispaces.com/Silk+Road
Religion: In the Middle East at the time monotheism was all the craze. It all started with Zoroastrianism in Persia. They believe that an all-powerful god named Ahura Mazda created the world and was defending it from all things evil. It is believed that Ahura Mazda will eventually win the battle with evil and at that moment the universe will renew itself and time will end. Sound familiar? That’s because it is. The basic teachings of Zoroastrianism and the already established Hebrew religion greatly influenced Christianity and Islam in the coming centuries. The holy books for these two religions were the Avesta and the Torah, respectively.
Persia in relative to the Silk Road
http://mcchalsclasses.wikispaces.com/Silk+Road
Religion: In the Middle East at the time monotheism was all the craze. It all started with Zoroastrianism in Persia. They believe that an all-powerful god named Ahura Mazda created the world and was defending it from all things evil. It is believed that Ahura Mazda will eventually win the battle with evil and at that moment the universe will renew itself and time will end. Sound familiar? That’s because it is. The basic teachings of Zoroastrianism and the already established Hebrew religion greatly influenced Christianity and Islam in the coming centuries. The holy books for these two religions were the Avesta and the Torah, respectively.
The symbol of Zoroastrianism. It is called a Faravahar, and it depicts the human soul before and after death. http://www.redicecreations.com/winterwonderland/mazda.html
Society: Originally, Persia was extremely patriarchal. Fathers had absolute rule in the house and his children and wife were below him. Heirs were much sought after, so sometimes men slept with multiple wives to secure that heir. Several families made up a clan. Multiple clans made up a tribe. As time passed Persia’s borders expanded. Bureaucrats were educated to carry out the will of the government, creating a class of educated people. As trade expanded, some grew rich, creating an income gap. Slavery was present in Persia. Most slaves were either domestic servants or skilled laborers to their masters.
Society: Originally, Persia was extremely patriarchal. Fathers had absolute rule in the house and his children and wife were below him. Heirs were much sought after, so sometimes men slept with multiple wives to secure that heir. Several families made up a clan. Multiple clans made up a tribe. As time passed Persia’s borders expanded. Bureaucrats were educated to carry out the will of the government, creating a class of educated people. As trade expanded, some grew rich, creating an income gap. Slavery was present in Persia. Most slaves were either domestic servants or skilled laborers to their masters.
A typical Persian Family. http://www.farsinet.com/norooz/haftsinn5.html
Innovations: The Persians of the time had their fair share of contributions to the world through their innovations and inventions. Persia’s infrastructure was bolstered under Darius the great. Roads were greatly improved and even a canal was built to connect the Nile River to the Red Sea. The world’s first public postal system was located in classical Persia, along with some of the world’s first bear making techniques. Persia also boasted a stadium in Persepolis called the Apadana. It is estimated to have seated 15,000 people and if it hadn’t been burned by Alexander, it would have dwarfed the coliseum back in Rome.
Innovations: The Persians of the time had their fair share of contributions to the world through their innovations and inventions. Persia’s infrastructure was bolstered under Darius the great. Roads were greatly improved and even a canal was built to connect the Nile River to the Red Sea. The world’s first public postal system was located in classical Persia, along with some of the world’s first bear making techniques. Persia also boasted a stadium in Persepolis called the Apadana. It is estimated to have seated 15,000 people and if it hadn’t been burned by Alexander, it would have dwarfed the coliseum back in Rome.
A model of the entrance of the Apadana. http://www.parsemodel.com/en/apadana.htm
Arts and Architecture: Pottery was one of the main art forms coming out of Classical Persia. Pottery was originally made from metal ware, but would later be replaced by fine ceramics. The pottery was decorated with pictures of animals, birds, and courtroom scenes. After Alexander’s Greeks invaded and the Hellenistic period began, Greek influences and images began to leak into the pottery. Persian architecture used patterns from nature and differed from their Islamic counterparts in later centuries. Persian architecture can be found in modern day Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
Near Geography: The Persians improved their infrastructure in order to run a more effective empire. Roads were built or improved for easier travels of traded goods. Ports were opened to expand markets. A canal was built to connect the Nile river to the Red sea. Agriculture was harnessed to grow desired crops.
Arts and Architecture: Pottery was one of the main art forms coming out of Classical Persia. Pottery was originally made from metal ware, but would later be replaced by fine ceramics. The pottery was decorated with pictures of animals, birds, and courtroom scenes. After Alexander’s Greeks invaded and the Hellenistic period began, Greek influences and images began to leak into the pottery. Persian architecture used patterns from nature and differed from their Islamic counterparts in later centuries. Persian architecture can be found in modern day Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and Central Asia.
Near Geography: The Persians improved their infrastructure in order to run a more effective empire. Roads were built or improved for easier travels of traded goods. Ports were opened to expand markets. A canal was built to connect the Nile river to the Red sea. Agriculture was harnessed to grow desired crops.
The location of the canal connecting the Nile river and the Red Sea.
http://www.associationlesseps.org/en/suez_historique.html
http://www.associationlesseps.org/en/suez_historique.html