Tuesday,Dec 1 2009, 09:01:25 PMAchaemenid Empire(1)

The Achaemenid Empire or Persian Empire (550–330 BCE) was the successor state of the Median Empire, ruling over significant portions of what would become Greater Iran. The Persian and the Median Empire taken together are also known as the Medo-Persian Empire, succeeding the Neo-Assyrian Empire. It was succeeded in turn by the Seleucid Empire.

At the height of its power, the empire encompassed approximately 8 million km².^[1][2] The empire was forged by Cyrus the Great, and spanned three continents, including territories of Afghanistan and Pakistan, parts of Central Asia, Asia Minor, Thrace, much of the Black SeaIraq, northern Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, and all significant population centers of ancient Egypt as far west as Libya. It is noted in western history as the foe of the Greek city states during the Greco-Persian Wars, for freeing the Jews from their Babylonian captivity, and for instituting Aramaic as the empire's official language. It was invaded and conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. coastal regions,

In universal history the role of the Persian empire founded by Cyrus the Great lies in their very successful model for centralized administration and a government working to the advantage and profit of all.

• 1 History
  • 1.1 Origins
  • 1.2 Formation and expansion of the empire
  • 1.3 Greco-Persian Wars
  • 1.4 The cultural phase
  • 1.5 Fall of the empire
• 2 Government
• 3 Culture
  • 3.1 Languages
  • 3.2 Customs
  • 3.3 Religion
  • 3.4 Art and architecture
• 4 Achaemenid kings and rulers
  • 4.1 Unattested
  • 4.2 Attested
• 5 Gallery
• 6 Notes
• 7 See also
• 8 References
  • 8.1 Modern Sources
• 9 Further reading
• 10 External links

History

Origins

The Persian domination by the Achaemenid empire over the Iranian people started by an extension of the Achaemenid dynasty who expanded their earlier ruling clan over the Persians going, possibly, back to the 9th century BCE. The founder of this dynasty was Achaemenes (Old Persian: Haxāmaniš, a bahuvrihi compound translating to "having a friend's mind").^] Achaemenes built the state Parsumash and was succeeded by his son Teispes (Cišpi) who was the first to take the title King of Anšān after seizing Anšān city from the Elamites and enlarging his kingdom to include Persis.

According to many inscriptions Teispes had a son called Cyrus (Kuruš) succeeding his father as "King of Anshan". It has also been discussed that the kingdom of Teispes was divided between Cyrus and his brother Ariaramnes (Ariyāramna, 'Having the Iranians at Peace'). They were succeeded by their respective sons Cambyses I of Anshan (Kambūjiya, "the Elder"), and Arsames (Aršāma "Having a Hero's Might") of Iran (Persia), thus forming two branches of the Achaemenid royal house.

Formation and expansion of the empire

The tomb of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire.

Monument of Cyrus the Great in Sydney Olympic Park.

The Cyrus cylinder, a contemporary cuneiform script proclaiming Cyrus as legitimate king of Babylon.

The empire took its unified virgin form with a central administration around Pasargadae erected by Cyrus the Great. The empire ended up conquering and enlarging the Median empire to include in addition Egypt and Asia Minor. During the reigns of Darius I and his son Xerxes I it engaged in military conflict with some of the major city-states of Ancient Greece, and although it came close to defeating the Greek army this war ultimately led to the empire's overthrow. However evidences of elements of continuity including restoration of the empire almost to the exact limits given to it by Darius the Great and the maintenance of system of satrapies has made some modern scholars to reconsider Alexander as the “last of the Achaemenids“.

In 559 BCE, Cambyses I the Elder was succeeded as king of Anšān by his son Cyrus II the Great, who also succeeded the still-living Arsames as King of Persia, thus reuniting the two realms. Cyrus is considered to be the first true king of the Persian empire, as his predecessors were subservient to Media. Cyrus II conquered Media, Lydia, and Babylon. Cyrus was politically shrewd, modeling himself as the "savior" of conquered nations. To reinforce this image, he instituted policies of religious freedom, and restored temples and other infrastructure in the newly acquired cities. (Most notably the Jews of Babylon, as recorded in the Cyrus Cylinder and the Tanakh).

His immediate successors were less successful. Cyrus' son Cambyses II conquered Egypt, but died in July 522 BCE as the result of either accident or suicide, during a revolt led by a sacerdotal clan that had lost its power following Cyrus' conquest of Media. These priests, whom Herodotus called Magi, usurped the throne for one of their own, Gaumata, who then pretended to be Cambyses II's younger brother Smerdis (Pers. Bardiya), who had been assassinated some three years earlier. Owing to the despotic rule of Cambyses and his long absence in Egypt, "the whole people, Perses, Medes and all the other nations," acknowledged the usurper, especially as he granted a remission of taxes for three years (Herodotus iii. 68).

The claim that Gaumata had impersonated Smerdis, is derived from Darius. Historians are divided over the possibility that the story of the impostor was invented by Darius as justification for his coup . Dr. Ranajit Pal holds that Gaumata was the same as Gotama Buddha. In his view, Davadatta, the adversary of Gotama was Zoroaster. Darius made a similar claim when he later captured Babylon, announcing that the Babylonian king was not, in fact, Nebuchadnezzar III, but an impostor named Nidintu-bel. 

According to the Behistun Inscription, pseudo-Smerdis ruled for seven months before being overthrown in 522 BCE by a member of a lateral branch of the Achaemenid family, Darius I (Old Persian Dāryavuš "Who Holds Firm the Good", also known as Darayarahush or Darius the Great). The Magi, though persecuted, continued to exist, and a year following the death of the first pseudo-Smerdis (Gaumata), had a second pseudo-Smerdis (named Vahyazdāta) attempt a coup. The coup, though initially successful, failed.

Herodotus writes^{[citation needed]} that the native leadership debated the best form of government for the Empire. It was agreed upon that a oligarchy would divide them against one another, and democracy would bring about mob rule resulting in a charismatic leader resuming the monarchy. Therefore, they decided a new monarch was in order, particularly since they were in a position to choose him. Darius I was chosen monarch from among the leaders. He was cousin to Cambyses II and Smerdis, claiming Ariaramnes as his ancestor.

The Achaemenids thereafter consolidated areas firmly under their control. It was Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great who, by sound and farsighted administrative planning, brilliant military maneuvering, and a humanistic world view, established the greatness of the Achaemenids and, in less than thirty years, raised them from an obscure tribe to a world power. It was during the reign of Darius I that Persepolis was built (518–516 BCE) and which would serve as capital for several generations of Achaemenid kings. Ecbatana (Hagmatāna "City of Gatherings", modern Hamadan) in Media was greatly expanded during this period and served as the summer capital.

Darius I attacked the Greek mainland, which had supported rebellious Greek colonies under his aegis; but as a result of his defeat at the Battle of Marathon, he was forced to pull the limits of his empire back to Asia Minor.

 Sources:wikipedia

11 Views | Post Comments | Share with Friends | Recommend

Sunday,Sep 27 2009, 10:56:36 AMVistaspa and the Life of Zarathustra

Vistaspa and the Life of Zarathustra

The reign of Vistaspa , towards the end of the Kyanian dynasty, can be regarded as one of the most important periods in Iranian history. Not because Vistaspa was a very great king but because a man appeared Iran at this time whose teachings were to change the character of the Iranian people.

The most lasting impression of Kayanian times that we get is that of a period of almost constant war. Wars were fought not only to gain lands but often for revenge, we saw lies being told all the time, fathers killing their ...

Read More...

16 Views | Post Comments | Share with Friends | Recommend

Sunday,Sep 27 2009, 10:53:37 AMThe Kyanian Dynasty

Kai-Kobad

As soon as Kai-Kobad became king he united the chieftains of Iran under him and proceeded to lead his army against the invading forces of Afrasyab. Once again the Iranians flying the banner of Kaveh, led by the generals Mihrab, Gushtahem, Karun and Rustom were ready to meet the army of Afrasyab.

This was Rustom’s first major battle. He singled out Afrasyab himself and fought against him. In the fight he threw Afrasyab from his horse and getting a grip on his belt dragged him as a prisoner towards Kai-Kobad. Unfortunately the belt broke and ...

Read More...

25 Views | Post Comments | Share with Friends | Recommend