Alexander the Great and the Persian Empire: Religion, Timeline, Social structure, Reflection, Contributions to the world, Geography, etc.

1. Alexander The Great
And The Persian Empire
SOFÍA MANZO PEÑA
DIEGO HERMOSILLO PALOMO
2F

2. Time line
550 BC - Cyrus the Great
founds the Persian Empire
and the same year came to
power
530 BC – Cyrus
was killed in a
battle. Daruis
takes the
throne.
486 BC – Daruis died 431 BC – The
Polinnesian War began
334-323 BC –
Alexander the
Great builds his
empire

3. Geographic Location
Through the Persian Empire history, 5 cities were the royal capital, which where:
1- Pasargadae.
2- Babylon.
3- Susa.
4- Ecbatana
5- Persepolis

5. RELIGION
They first were Politeist. They believed in many gods.The Persians worshiped the
nature and the stars.
When the years passed the religion started to change, and it passed to know as
the religion of Zoroaster, that religion was monotheism and the God was Ahura-
Mazda. He did not like the sacrifices and demanded the practice of virtues like
knowledge,honesty etc.
The first gods were Ahrimna, god of the darkness, Anahita goddess of the water,
Asmoug he was like a demon he make problems between families neighbors
wars between towns.

6. GOVERNMENT
It was a Monarchy.
The King had the final say in how things were supposed to happen.
The Persians governments were characterized by military despotism; the emperor's authority
was absolute, was championed and sustained by the Immortals (they were the soldiers)

7. Social structure
The King: he was at the top of everything. He controls everything
Nobles and some important militaries and priests: They had important place in the society
Governor: He controlled its own army.
Peasants, Artisans and Merchants: They gave the financial support to society.
Slaves: they worked for the king

8. KING
NOBLES, SOME
MILITARIES, AND SOME
POWERFUL PRIESTS
GOVERNOR
PEASANTS, ARTISANS AND
MERCAHNTS
SLAVES

9. LIFESTYLE
They spoke Persian wich is like the Arabic, and it is still spoken.
They had the idea of using coins, the King decide to use the gold coins ( Contribution to the world).
Persian families were large, poor children worked with their parents, noble children were raised by mother
until the age of 5.
Boys were tained to ride horses and to use the bow, the Girls were trained to run households and raise
children .
Rich women spent most of their time at home.
Persians wore pendants,tiny pins, precious stones etc.
Men could have men lovers, but also a wife, and it was normal.

10. Important Characters
Cyrus The Great: He started paying slaves, making them not slaves anymore, made them free.
(559-529 BC)
Philip II: He became king of Macedonia in 359 BC, he protected Macedonia from attacks, but
after that, conquered Greece. Was killed “by” Darius 2nd, while celebrating his daughter´s
wedding.
Alexander The Great: Son of Philip II. Conquered Egypt, the Persians and the south west of Asia

11. Important Events
In 359 BC, Philip II became Macedonia´s king. The first year was spent defending Macedonia
from attackers, but after that, he conquered Greece.
In 336 BC, Philip II is killed during the celebration of his daughter´s wedding.
 During336 BC, Alexander, ( Philip II son) became the king.
In 334, Alexander The Great defeated Darius III in the battles of Granicus, Issus, and
Gaugamela, conquering the Persian Empire.
Alexander died between the evening of June 10 and the evening of June 11, 323 BC, because of
a mosquito which gave him malaria.

12. Contributions to the world
Countries with Persian names: Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, etc.
The first scientist who claimed that Earth was round, were the Muslims scholars of Persia.
The first “Human Rights” were introduced by Cyrus The great.
The first money system (Coins)
Polo (sport)

13. Reflection
We think that the Persian civilization was one of the most important ones because it gives
many contributions to the world and history to that region. Alexander the great shows a big
determination because he was one of the kings with most territories, and conquered the Persian
Empire at a young age.
We can learn from them to innovate things that can help us get the things we want.
If The characters hadn´t done the things they did, we would probably be doing different things,
or maybe we wouldn´t have the technology we have.

14. Sources
Ancient History Encyclopedia. (2009). Ancient Persia. Recovered on September 17, 2015, from:
http://www.ancient.eu/Persia/
(01-09-2015) PERSIAN EMPIRE http://www.ancient.eu/Persia/
(02-09-2015) gods of the acient Persia http://es.slideshare.net/cristobalortizcaceres/dioses-
persas
(02-09-2015) social estructure http://persa-biobio.blogspot.mx/2008/05/estructura-social.html