The Persian Empire was not easy to rule.
It comprised many different peoples with differing languages, customs and competing against each other, and surrounded by peoples who would like to prey on them. And the territory was spread over five thousand kilometres.
It was the system of government which the Persians used which worked - retain customary local governments, under control of Persian provincial governors and a cetral overall government.
To produce a civilisation, after producing a surplus to finance it, you need sophisticated ways of doing things. So you need specialised workers to carry it out. This was begun in the Middle East by the Assyrian Empire, replaced by the Babylonian Empire then by the Persian Empire to carry it on and improve it.
Parts of the Persian Empire copied Greek architecture and culture. Alexander the Great tried to introduce the Greek city-state model. It took superficial hold with the upper-classes, but reverted as other peoples moved in and was finally subsumed by the spread of Islamic influence.
Cyrus and Darius, both prominent rulers of the Persian Empire, demonstrated wisdom through their policies of tolerance and administrative efficiency. Cyrus is renowned for his respect for the cultures and religions of conquered peoples, exemplified by his decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. Darius, on the other hand, implemented a systematic taxation system and established a network of roads that facilitated trade and communication across the vast empire. Together, their leadership fostered stability and prosperity, contributing to the longevity of the Persian Empire.
The Royal Road facilitated efficient communication and trade across the vast Persian Empire, enabling Darius to maintain control and promote unity among diverse regions. Minted coins standardized currency, simplifying trade and economic transactions, which helped integrate various cultures and economies under a common system. Together, these innovations enhanced administrative efficiency and fostered a sense of shared identity among the empire's subjects, reinforcing Darius's authority.
Alexander of Macedon destroyed the Achaemenid Empire by defeating its forces and dismantling its administrative structures, effectively ending Persian dominance in the region. However, he also preserved elements of the empire by adopting its administrative practices, promoting local governance, and respecting local customs and religions. His establishment of cities, such as Alexandria, helped maintain cultural continuity and facilitated the spread of Hellenistic culture, blending Greek and Persian influences. This dual approach allowed him to create a legacy that honored the Achaemenid past while simultaneously forging a new, unified empire.
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The Persian Empire was an absolute monarchy. It was divided into 20 provinces (satrapies) each with a governor responsible to the king and his council for local and external security and tax collection. The tribal, city and petty kingdoms in the provinces continued to rule themselves according to their traditional ways.
Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.Two of the many ways that the Roman empire brought civilization to most of Europe were the rule of law and the use of permanent housing which evolved into towns.
To produce a civilisation, after producing a surplus to finance it, you need sophisticated ways of doing things. So you need specialised workers to carry it out. This was begun in the Middle East by the Assyrian Empire, replaced by the Babylonian Empire then by the Persian Empire to carry it on and improve it.
Each locality and region produced food, minerals and manufactures according to their customary ways. The Empire was largely an administrative oversight rather than any sense of a directed economy.
Parts of the Persian Empire copied Greek architecture and culture. Alexander the Great tried to introduce the Greek city-state model. It took superficial hold with the upper-classes, but reverted as other peoples moved in and was finally subsumed by the spread of Islamic influence.
It established 20 provincial governments to ensure security and left the usual local governments to operate in normal local ways, coordinated by the governors.
The Assyrian Empire and the Persian Empire were two of the earliest major empires in the world. The Assyrians were powerful from about 900 to about 600 BC. The Persian Empire came afterwards, holding power beginning around 550 BC. Both were empires in what we now call the Middle East. Both were monarchies. However, there were very important differences between the two. A good way to express these differences is to say that, from our perspective, the Persian Empire was more enlightened. Because of this, it was possible for them to rule a much larger empire than the Assyrians could. The Assyrians had a much more autocratic and centralized system of government. The king of Assyria was seen as all-powerful. Everyone else in their society was seen as a slave of the king. When the Assyrians conquered other peoples, they tried to dominate them and exploit them. The Assyrians essentially used the outer parts of their kingdom as colonies to be exploited, not as valued parts of their own society. By contrast, the Persian Empire was more enlightened. The king did not portray himself as a completely dominant figure. The people of the empire were portrayed as strong and important members of society. The empire was not exploited as ruthlessly for the benefit of the center. Instead, each part of the empire had its own governor and was seen as an equal part of the empire. Tribute was demanded from each region, but not as ruthlessly as in the Assyrian Empire. Thus, the Assyrians and the Persians were both empires, but they ran in rather different ways.
Prophets served God constantly, calling the people to change their wicked ways and to rely on God, especially during the difficult times. The resisted the urges to assimilate into Babylonian culture and maintained a separate identity.
There are no easy ways
Cyrus and Darius, both prominent rulers of the Persian Empire, demonstrated wisdom through their policies of tolerance and administrative efficiency. Cyrus is renowned for his respect for the cultures and religions of conquered peoples, exemplified by his decree allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem. Darius, on the other hand, implemented a systematic taxation system and established a network of roads that facilitated trade and communication across the vast empire. Together, their leadership fostered stability and prosperity, contributing to the longevity of the Persian Empire.
No, he was not. Under his rule Roman Empire suffered politically and financially, he was arrogant egomaniac who abused power every imaginable ways and even declared himself a living God.