The territory of Persia before the formation of an independent state was part of the Assyrian Empire. 6th century BC. became the heyday ancient civilization that began with the kingdom of the ruler Persia Cyrus II the Great. He managed to defeat a king named Croesus of the richest country of antiquity, Lydia. It went down in history as the first state formation in which silver and gold coins were minted in the history of the world. It happened in the 7th century. BC.
Under the Persian king Cyrus, the borders of the state were significantly expanded and they included the territories of the fallen Assyrian Empire and the powerful. By the end of the period of the reign of Cyrus and his heir, Persia, which received the status of an empire, occupied an area from the lands ancient egypt to India. The conqueror honored the traditions and customs of the conquered peoples and accepted the title and crown of the king of the occupied states.
The death of the king of Persia Cyrus II
In ancient times, the Persian emperor Cyrus was considered one of the most powerful rulers, under whose skillful leadership numerous successful military campaigns were carried out. However, his fate ended ingloriously: the great Cyrus fell at the hands of a woman. Near the northeastern border of the Persian Empire lived Massagetae. Small tribes were very savvy in military affairs. They were ruled by Queen Tomyris. She answered Cyrus' proposal for marriage with a decisive refusal, which made the emperor extremely angry and he undertook a military campaign to capture the nomadic peoples. The queen's son died in the fight, and she promised to force the king of an ancient civilization to drink blood. The battle ended with the defeat of the Persian troops. The head of the emperor was brought to the queen in a leather fur filled with blood. Thus ended the time of despotic rule and conquests of the king of Persia, Cyrus II the Great.
Rise to power of Darius
After the death of the mighty Cyrus, his direct heir came to power Cambyses. Militia began in the state. As a result of the struggle, Darius I became the emperor of Persia. Information about the years of his reign has come down to our days thanks to Behistunskaya inscriptions, which contains historical data in Old Persian, Akkadian, and Elamite. The stone was found by an officer of Great Britain G. Rawlinson in 1835. The inscription testifies that during the reign of a distant relative of Cyrus II the Great Darius, Persia turned into an oriental despotism.
The state was divided into 20 administrative divisions, which were ruled by satraps. The regions were called satraps. Officials were in charge of administration and their duties included control over the collection of taxes to the main treasury of the state. The money went to the development of infrastructure, in particular, roads were built connecting areas throughout the empire. Postal posts were established to convey messages to the king. During his reign, extensive construction of cities and the development of handicrafts were noted. Gold coins - "dariki" - are introduced into monetary use.
Centers of the Persian Empire
One of the four capitals of the ancient civilization of Persia was located on the territory of the former Lydia in the city of Susa. Another center of social and political life was in Pasargada, established by Cyrus the Great. The residence of the Persians was also located in the conquered Babylonian kingdom. Emperor Darius I was put on the throne in a city specially established as the capital of Persia persepolis. Its wealth and architecture amazed the rulers and ambassadors of foreign countries, who stayed in the empire to bring gifts to the king. stone walls Palace of Darius in Persepolis are decorated with drawings depicting the immortal army of the Persians and the history of the existence of the "six peoples" living in the ancient civilization.
Religious representations of the Persians
In ancient times in Persia there was polytheism. The adoption of a single religion came with the doctrine of the struggle of the god of good and the generation of evil. The name of the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster). In the tradition of the Persians, in contrast to the religiously strong Ancient Egypt, there was no custom of erecting temple complexes and altars for performing spiritual rites. The sacrifices were made on the hills, where the altars were arranged. god of light and goodness Ahura Mazda depicted in Zoroastrianism in the form of a solar disk, decorated with wings. He was considered the patron saint of the kings of the ancient civilization of Persia.
The Persian state was located on the territory of modern Iran, where ancient architectural monuments of the empire have been preserved.
Video about the creation and fall of the Persian Empire
Persian Empire or Persian-Mede kingdom (Paras u-Madai) - an ancient power Achaemenid dynasty in V-IV BC, subduing at the peak of its power 127 countries from the Nile to the foothills of Tibet. The Persian Empire is known in Jewish history, mainly from books such as. The beginning of the Persian-Median Empire is considered to be the conquest by the kings Darius and Cyrus, and its end is the fall from the hands. In the format of an empire, the Achaemenid state lasted 52 years, from 3389 to 3442 (371-318 BC).
The Jews at that time were in Babylonian exile, where they were driven away by the emperor, who destroyed the First Jerusalem (in 3338 / 422 BC). In 3390 (370 BC), King Cyrus allowed the Temple to be rebuilt, but soon stopped work. Only under Darius the Second, in 3408 (352 BC), construction resumed. The temple was rebuilt, most of the Jews returned to the Land of Israel - the exile was over.
Formation of the Persian-Median Empire
Paras and Madai were sons Japheta, son ( see Genesis 10:2 and Rashi's commentary). The descendants of Paras - the Persians - settled in a large area adjacent to the Persian Gulf. To the west and northwest of them, up to the Caspian Sea, lived the Medes. Here, states arose with the capitals, respectively, Parsa (Persepolis) and Akhmata (Khemdan).
The Median kingdom entered the historical arena earlier than the Persian ( cf. Daniel 8:4,20&N. Rashi). It fought with Assyria, which in the 7th-6th centuries. BC. was at the zenith of its power. In the VI century BC. the Assyrian king Sancherib captured the northern part of the Land of Israel and tried to conquer Jerusalem, but did not succeed ( see Mlahim 2, ch.19). But just 75 years later, the Babylonian emperor Nebuchadnezzar (Nebuchadnezzar) conquered Assyria, destroyed the First Jerusalem Temple and drove the Jews into captivity. Babylon established its hegemony in the region. However, Media also fought with Babylon; a giant defensive fortification built during the time of Nabuchadnezzar is known - the “Medes wall”. These wars ended in victory for the Medes: Media united with Persia, and together they conquered the Babylonian Empire. Babylon fell, the kings from Paras and Madai reigned on the throne, and the Persian-Median kingdom turned into an empire, establishing its power in almost all areas previously controlled by Babylon.
Even before the destruction of Jerusalem, it was revealed to the Jewish prophets that Babylon would be conquered by the Medes ( Yeshayahu, 13:17-18, Irmiyahu, 51:11,28), and that “a people is coming from the north, and a great nation, and multitudes of kings are rising up from the ends of the earth; bow and spear they hold; they are cruel and merciless, their voice roars like the sea, and they ride on horseback; everyone is ready to fight you, daughter of Babylon" ( Irmiyahu, 50:41). The commentators explain that the kings mentioned here are the Median Darius and the Persian Cyrus.
Daniel's prophecies, dating back to the time of the Babylonian exile, contained a prediction of "four kingdoms" that would enslave the Jews throughout the history of mankind, and each subsequent one would overthrow the previous one. These four kingdoms are Babylon, Persia-Media, and ( Daniel chapters 2,5,6,7,8). Allusions to them are also contained in - in, in the story of the war of four kings against five ( Genesis 14:1&N. Rashi), and also in , in the description of , when he sees the angels going up and down the stairs leading to heaven. explains that these are the guardian angels of the four kingdoms, ascending and overthrowing from the steps, the number of which corresponds to the years of the existence of these kingdoms ( Bereshit, 28:10 and com. Ramban).
Paras u-Madai: two peoples, one kingdom?
How did Media and Persia become one kingdom? According to , the sage and seer Daniel predicted to one of the servants of King Nabuchadnezzar, the Persian Cyrus (Koresh), that he would rule over the entire vast empire. Subsequently, Cyrus became the king of Persia and married the daughter of the Median king Darius. Together they conquered Babylon and overthrew the grandson (according to other sources of the son) of Nebuchadnezzar, king of Belshazzar (Belshazzar). Babylon was annexed to the united Media and Persia. The city of Babylon became the capital of the new kingdom; later the capital was moved to Shushan (Susa). Since Cyrus was aware of Daniel's prophecy about the fall of Babylon, which first mentioned Media, he persuaded Darius to ascend the throne first, and after his death he began to rule himself.
Persian kingdom at the end of days
The Talmud gives a symbolic story about how at the end of days the Creator of the world shows all nations a scroll of the Torah and says: "He who sought the Truth in the Torah, let him come and receive a reward." First, a patron angel appears before Him ( malach) Rome and talks about his achievements, but receives an answer: “Everything that you created, you tried for yourself.” The angel leaves, ashamed.
After that it appears malach Persia and says: “We have built many bridges; many fortified cities captured and fought many defensive wars to protect the empire. And all so that the Jewish people can engage in Torah.” In response to this, the words of the Almighty sound: “Everything that you did, you did for yourself. They built bridges to collect tolls; seized cities to impose tribute on your emperor; and as for defensive wars, victory in them depends on Me. Went ashamed and malach Persians (Avoda Zara, 2B).
Why did the Persians not receive a reward, because - as the Malach of Persia rightly believed - his kingdom, unlike Rome, did not destroy, but built the Temple? The answer is that, despite this, they were engaged in, did not recognize the power of the Almighty over themselves.
And another question is asked in the Talmud: why are only Rome and Persia mentioned in the story? Answer: because the (spiritual roots) of these empires will last until the coming of Mashiach ( Avoda zara, 2B).
The idolatry of the Persians was of a special nature. They, unlike, for example, the Babylonians, did not bow before the idols of gold and silver. According to their ideas, in the world there is a constant struggle between good and evil - the god of light and goodness and the god of darkness and evil. People should strive for good, help the “good” god with their behavior. In the Talmud there are references to positive traits Persians - modesty in behavior and clothes, good breeding ( Brahot, 8B; Shabat, 94B; Eruvin, 29B).
The attractiveness of the Persians, inherited from their ancestor Japhet, was dangerous for the Jews. Unlike Japhet himself, the Persians did not "sit in the tents of Shem" (as they were commanded from Above) - they did not learn the Torah from the Jewish sages. They could not comprehend, their consciousness remained split, they did not see the connection between,
material and spiritual (hence, perhaps, the name "Paras" comes from: from the words " prusot" -"pieces", "lifros" - "cut" - cf. Midrash Rabbah, Esther 1).
Even in the prophecy of Yeshayahu, the fear was expressed that the religion of the Persians would attract Jews who were weak in spirit, and they would forget the spiritual values of their people. Yeshayahu taught the Jews to sacredly believe in the Unity of God, who creates light and shadow, good and evil. And even what seems evil to a person also happens by the will of the Almighty and is not recognized as good only because of human imperfection. Being in exile in the Persian kingdom, the Jews remembered the words of the prophet and did not succumb to the influence of the Persians (see about this in the book).
However, the "spirit" of the Persian consciousness - its splitting, lack of understanding of the Unity of the world - has survived to our time. It is no coincidence that the Talmud says that the Persian kingdom (its spiritual source) will exist until the time of Mashiach. Not so long ago, based on the works - that the continuation of ancient Persia in a sense is the Arab world. Along with the kingdom of Rome-Edom (Western civilization), it is currently "in power".
With the advent of Mashiach, humanity will overcome the splitting of its consciousness and fully realize the Unity of G-d.
Persia (which country is now, you can find out from the article) existed more than two thousand years ago. It is known for its conquests and culture. In the territory ancient state ruled by many nations. But they could not eradicate the culture and traditions of the Aryans.
From the middle of the sixth century BC, the Persians appeared on the arena of world history. Until that time, the inhabitants of the Middle East had heard very little about this mysterious tribe. It became known about them only after they began to seize lands.
Cyrus II, the king of the Persians from the Achaemenid dynasty, was able to capture Media and other states in a short time. His well-armed army began preparations to march against Babylon.
At this time, Babylon and Egypt were at enmity with each other, but when strong enemy they decided to forget about the conflict. Babylon's preparation for war did not save her from defeat. The Persians captured the cities of Opis and Sippar, and then took possession of Babylon without a fight. Cyrus the Second decided to move further to the East. In a war with nomadic tribes, he died in 530 BC.
The successors of the deceased king, Cambyses II and Darius I, managed to capture Egypt. Darius was able not only to strengthen the eastern and western borders of the state, but also to expand them from the Aegean to India, as well as from the lands of Central Asia to the banks of the Nile. Persia absorbed the famous world civilizations of the ancient world and owned them until the fourth century BC. The empire was conquered by Alexander the Great.
Second Persian Empire
The Macedonian soldiers took revenge on the Persians for the ruin of Athens by incinerating Persepolis. On this, the Achaemenid dynasty ceased to exist. Ancient Persia fell under the humiliating power of the Greeks.
It was only in the second century BC that the Greeks were driven out. The Parthians did it. But they were not allowed to rule for a long time, they were overthrown by Artaxerxes. The history of the second Persian state began with him. In another way, it is commonly called the power of the Sassanid dynasty. Under their rule, the Achaemenid Empire is revived, albeit in a different form. Greek culture is being replaced by Iranian.
In the seventh century, Persia lost its power and was included in the Arab Caliphate.
Life in Ancient Persia through the eyes of other nations
The life of the Persians is known from the works that have survived to this day. Mostly Greek writings. It is known that Persia (which country is now, you can find out below) very quickly conquered the territories of ancient civilizations. What were the Persians like?
They were tall and physically strong. Life in the mountains and steppes made them hardened and hardy. They were famous for their courage and unity. In everyday life, the Persians ate moderately, did not drink wine, and were indifferent to precious metals. They wore clothes sewn from animal skins, their heads were covered with felt caps (tiaras).
During the coronation, the ruler had to put on the clothes that he wore before becoming king. He was also supposed to eat dried figs and drink sour milk.
The Persians had the right to live with several wives, not counting concubines. Closely related ties were allowed, for example, between an uncle and a niece. Women were not to be seen by strangers. This also applied to wives and concubines. Proof of this are the preserved reliefs of Persepolis, on which there are no images of the fair sex.
Persian achievements:
- good roads;
- minting own coins;
- creation of gardens (paradises);
- cylinder of Cyrus the Great - a prototype of the first charter of human rights.
Before Persia, but now?
It is not always possible to say exactly which state is located on the site of an ancient civilization. The world map has changed hundreds of times. Changes are taking place even today. How to understand where was Persia? What is the current country in its place?
Modern states on whose territory there was an empire:
- Egypt.
- Lebanon.
- Iraq.
- Pakistan.
- Georgia.
- Bulgaria.
- Turkey.
- Parts of Greece and Romania.
These are not all countries that are related to Persia. However, since ancient empire most often associated with Iran. What is this country and its people?
The mysterious past of Iran
The name of the country is a modern form of the word "Ariana", which translates as "country of the Aryans". Indeed, from the first millennium BC, the Aryan tribes inhabited almost all the lands of modern Iran. Part of this tribe moved to Northern India, and part went to the northern steppes, calling themselves Scythians, Sarmatians.
Later strong kingdoms were formed in Western Iran. Media became one of such Iranian formations. She was subsequently captured by the army of Cyrus the Second. It was he who united the Iranians in his empire and led them to conquer the world.
How does modern Persia live (what country is now, it became clear)?
Life in modern Iran through the eyes of foreigners
For many people, Iran is associated with the revolution and the nuclear program. However, the history of this country covers more than two thousand years. She took in different cultures: Persian, Islamic, Western.
The Iranians have elevated pretense to a real art of communication. They are very courteous and sincere, but this is only the outer side. In fact, behind their obsequiousness lies the intention to find out all the intentions of the interlocutor.
Former Persia (now Iran) was captured by the Greeks, Turks, Mongols. At the same time, the Persians were able to preserve their traditions. They know how to get along with strangers, their culture is characterized by a certain flexibility - to take the best from the traditions of strangers, without abandoning their own.
Iran (Persia) was ruled by the Arabs for centuries. At the same time, its inhabitants were able to preserve their language. Poetry helped them in this. Most of all they honor the poet Ferdowsi, and the Europeans remember Omar Khayyam. The teaching of Zarathustra, which appeared long before the invasion of the Arabs, contributed to the preservation of culture.
Although Islam plays the leading role in the country now, the Iranians have not lost their national identity. They remember well their centuries-old history.
1987. , chapter 2 "Armenia from the Median Conquest to the Rise of the Artaxiads". Harvard University Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and National Association for Armenian Studies and Research, 1987:
Original text (English)
Page 39
By 585 B.C., the power of the Medes extended as far as the Halys River; they were thus in possession of the entire Arm. plateau and the former territories of Urartu.
...
The Armenians, as we have seen, appear to have settled in the area of Van and in the northeast, in the region of Ararat. Numerous other peoples also inhabited the plateau: Herodotus mentions the Suspyrians, Alarodians and Matieni; and Xenophon met on his march the Chaldaeans, Chalybians, Mardi, Hesperites, Phasians and Taochi.
Page 45
Armenia was divided into two satrapies, the 13th and 18th, by the Persians, and several sites mentioned in the inscriptions at Behistun have been identified in the south and west of the Armenian plateau, in the provinces of Aljnik and Korcayk.
...
The 18th satrapy included the regions around Ararat; we shall discuss below the principal sites of the Achaemenian period from that region: Arin-berd (Urartean Erebuni) and Armawir (Urartean Argistihinili).
The satrap dynasty of the Orontes sat under the Achaemenids in eastern Armenia (in the 18th satrapy, the land of the Matien-Hurrians, Saspeir-Iberians and Alarodii-Urartians; however, as the name itself shows, Armenians already lived here) ...
Original text (Russian)
The Colchians from time to time sent symbolic tribute to the Achaemenids by slaves, possibly captured from neighboring mountain tribes, and supplied auxiliary detachments, apparently at the disposal of the satrap of Western (or proper) Armenia (the 13th satrapy of the Achaemenids, originally called Melitene; North-Eastern Armenia , which continued to be called Urartu, was the 18th satrapy and at that time, in all likelihood, was not yet fully Armenianized in terms of language; along with the Armenians, Urartians-Alarodies and Hurrians-matiens, it also included the eastern Proto-Georgian tribes - the Saspirs)
Original text (English)
Armenia is listed as the 10th satrapy in the Persian inscriptions at Naqsh-e Rostam. In the fifth century Herodotus mentions Armenians occupying the 13th satrapy, while the remnants of the Urartians (Alarodians) lived in the 18th satrapy. Armenians soon became the dominant force in those satrapies and subjugated or assimilated the other groups.
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