Ancient Greece and Iran (later Persia)

Chapter 5

Ancient Iran (Land of the Aryans)

Iran-Geography and Resources

The Rise of the Persian Empire

Achaemenids (Persian rulers)

Kurush (Cyrus); his tomb

The Medes and Persians (daughter from Media married the Persian chieftain and sealed a relationship of two like peoples)

Imperial Organization and Ideology

King’s EntourageKing’s Entourage

1. Royal Family

2. Sons of Persian aristocrats (hostages)

3. Noblemen

4. Royal bodyguards

5. Courtiers and slaves

Paradise (paradayadam)

Sumerian and Iranian Text

Persepolis (Parsa)

Retreat of the king of Persia; considered his homeland

Persian reliefs

Zoroastrianism

Prophet Zarathushtra (Zoroaster)

Zarathustra, the founder of Zoroastrianism, spread the message of peace, progress, and prosperity on this good earth and a blissful life beyond. The people who follow Zoroastrianism are referred to as Parsis. Ahura Mazda is the supreme deity of Zoroastrianism. Fire is worshipped by Parsis as a symbol of godhead, and the holy book of the community is the Avesta.

Good Thoughts, Good Words, and Good Deeds

God and the Devil, Heaven and Hell, reward and punishment, Messiah

and the End Time