The heart of ancient Persia is located in what modern-day country?
Iran
200
What policy did Cyrus' empire have for different cultures and people?
Tolerance
200
What made it possible for the rapid expansion of Cyrus' empire?
Persia's huge standing army: permanent army of 10,000 soldiers called the "Immortals"
200
How did satrapies work?
Had a lead official called a satrap (Persian noble); kept the same local laws and officials. For example, Greeks ran the city-states of Ionia; Jews ran Jerusalem
200
Who was the King that destroyed his own empire?
Croesus
200
These men had great authority in the satrapies
Satrap
300
Why did the Jews in Babylonia respect Cyrus?
He treated them well, sent them back to their homeland with treasures that had been looted from the temple in Jerusalem; gave them money to rebuild their temple
300
How far did Cyrus' empire stretch?
Halfway across the Asian continent
300
What are two ways in which Darius increased the power of the empire's central government?
Darius created a fair tax code (people paid according to what they could afford): built a new capital city: Persepolis; Darius created common currency (gold coins with his image could be used in the entire empire)
300
Who was the historian that wrote reliable, first hand information?
Herodotus
300
Why was King Croesus overjoyed at the oracle's reply?
He thought he would destroy the Persian empire, but instead destroyed his own
400
Give an example of Cyrus' genoristy?
After defeating the Medes, rather than replace the officials in the Medes government w/Persians, Cyrus kept the Medes in their jobs
400
Who was Cyrus' successor? What area did he conquer first?
Cambyses (his son) and Egypt
400
What were the royal roads used for?
Royal Roads were 1500-1800 miles long, used to carry messages (first postal service), goods, and travel
400
Who founded the Persian Empire?
Cyrus the Great
400
What words written by Herodotus inspired the United States Postal Service?
"Neither snow nor rain, hear nor darkness prevents these riders from covering the distance allotted to them at full speed."
500
Why was Croesus not successful in defeating Cyrus?
When Croesus consulted the oracle, she told him he would "destroy a great empire." He thought her answer meant that he would be successful, instead he destroyed his own empire.
500
Why was Cambyses unsuccessful in conquering Kush?
No food or supplies, had to eat their pack animals, eventually had to eat their own men
500
How did Cyrus balance local self-government with central power to govern his empire?
Kept the same officials for each city-state with the balance of a satrap
500
Who was the Persian ruler that expanded the empire?
Darius the Great
500
How did the Persians get on the good side of the people they defeated?
Kept their own officials in power, local laws were still enforced, taxes were fairer (did not try to come in and take over)