Império Persa - Brasil Escola

Summary

In this educational video, Professor Daniel explores the history of the Persian Empire, focusing on its formation under Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE. He details the empire's expansion, including key conquests like Lydia, Persia, and Babylon. The video also highlights the cultural tolerance of the Persians, their administrative practices, and the development of infrastructure, including roads and a postal system. Furthermore, it touches on Zoroastrianism, the Persian religion, and the eventual decline of the empire due to Alexander the Great’s conquest in 331 BCE.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE after unifying the Iranian tribes.
• 😀 The term 'Persia' is derived from the Greek name for the tribe called 'Parsa', while 'Achaemenid' refers to the ruling dynasty of Cyrus the Great.
• 😀 Cyrus the Great conquered the Median Empire, led by King Astyages, and started the expansion of the Persian Empire.
• 😀 One of Cyrus's key achievements was the conquest of Babylon in 539 BCE, where he freed the Jewish people and allowed them to return to their homeland.
• 😀 After Cyrus's death in 530 BCE, his son Cambyses II continued the expansion, notably conquering Egypt in 525 BCE.
• 😀 The Persian Empire was known for its policy of cultural tolerance, allowing conquered peoples to maintain their traditions and religions in exchange for loyalty and taxes.
• 😀 The Persian Empire's vast territory was divided into regions called 'satrapies', each governed by a satrap (provincial governor).
• 😀 The Persian Empire had a highly centralized administration, with oversight to prevent corruption within the satrapies.
• 😀 Darius I introduced a unified currency, the 'daric', which helped standardize the economy across the vast empire.
• 😀 The Persian Empire also constructed a vast network of roads, including the famous Royal Road, to facilitate communication and trade across its extensive territory.
• 😀 Zoroastrianism, a dualistic monotheistic religion, was practiced in the Persian Empire, emphasizing the battle between good and evil.
• 😀 The Persian Empire began to decline in the 4th century BCE, ultimately falling to Alexander the Great in 331 BCE after the Battle of Gaugamela.

Q & A

What was the origin of the Persian Empire?

The Persian Empire originated from the unification of Iranian tribes led by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE. This centralization of power transformed the region into the Achaemenid Empire.

What does the term 'Persia' refer to?

The term 'Persia' is of Greek origin and refers to a specific Iranian tribe called 'Parsa.' The term became synonymous with the people and the empire they built.

What was Cyrus the Great's significance in Persian history?

Cyrus the Great was the first king of the Persians. He is famous for uniting Iranian tribes and defeating the Medes, establishing the Persian Empire, and for his policy of tolerance towards conquered peoples.

How did the Persian Empire expand under Cyrus the Great?

Under Cyrus, the Persian Empire expanded rapidly, conquering regions such as Lydia, Parthia, Scythia, and notably Babylon in 539 BCE, which marked a significant point in Persian territorial growth.

What was the significance of Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylon?

Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylon is notable not only for its military success but also because he freed the Jewish people who were enslaved there, allowing them to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple.

What was the policy of religious and cultural tolerance in the Persian Empire?

Cyrus the Great implemented a policy of religious and cultural tolerance, allowing conquered peoples to maintain their traditions, cultures, and religions as long as they remained loyal and paid taxes to the Persian rulers.

What were the administrative divisions in the Persian Empire?

The Persian Empire was divided into provinces called 'satrapies,' each governed by a 'satrap,' or provincial governor. This structure helped manage the empire's vast territory efficiently.

Why did the Persian Empire maintain a dual system of oversight over satraps?

The Persian rulers often did not trust the satraps, so they maintained a dual system of oversight by appointing additional officials to monitor the satraps, ensuring they remained loyal and preventing corruption.

What was the Darius I monetary reform in the Persian Empire?

Darius I introduced a unified currency system across the Persian Empire, creating the 'dareik' coin, which facilitated trade and economic control across the vast empire.

What advancements did the Persians make in infrastructure and communication?

The Persians built extensive road networks, such as the Royal Road, and developed an advanced postal system. These innovations allowed for efficient communication and trade across the empire's vast territory.

What was the Zoroastrian religion, and how did it influence Persian culture?

Zoroastrianism was a monotheistic religion founded by the prophet Zoroaster (or Zarathustra) around 1000 BCE. It had a dualistic view of the world, with a struggle between good and evil, and it influenced Persian culture by shaping its moral and spiritual values.

What led to the decline of the Persian Empire?

The decline of the Persian Empire was influenced by its vast size and the difficulty of managing diverse cultures. Ultimately, it fell to Alexander the Great in 331 BCE after the defeat of Darius III at the Battle of Gaugamela.