Middle East (Persia) PERSIAN Chart
(Classical)
by Daniel Nakazono
Political
Classical Persia was structured under a balanced central power and a local administration. Under this structure officials were appointed as Governors to oversee regions.
Economy
Standardizing laws regulated taxes. Persians created a monetary system of coins. The Persian Royal Road was constructed over 1600 miles from the Aegean Sea to Anatolia, and through Mesopotamia to Iran. The road took 90 days to travel, resting at inns along the route.
Religion
Persian's worshiped nature such as geographical features, and elements such as the sun, moon, and water. The Persians especially held fire in much celebration. They worshipped many of the same gods of the Aryans. Persian priests sacrificed in the same ritual as Indian Brahmins. Zoroastrianism became popular in Persia. Zoroastrian beliefs recognized a God as the creator of all things, however it mentions six other lesser gods. It encouraged the enjoyment of earthly pleasures, however only moderately.
Society
Within Persian Society, the relationships and bonding of Family and the clan were very important to law politically and socially. Persia was a patriarchal society, where men where the head of everyday life and of clans. Because of the Persian "Cosmopolitan" structure, or the familiarity with other cultures, this structure was complicated.
Innovations
The Persian’s came up with an innovative underground canal system called the qanat. The Qanat allowed for water to be moved to agricultural fields without losing water to evaporation. The qanat system was kept up by slaves and country-side laborers. Persian's standardized the use of coins as a monetary system. They increased the amount of long distance trade as well as constructing highways.
Arts and Architecture
Persepolis is a Persian city that is home to many great structures and monuments. Some of the Persian wall art is very similar to that of Egyptian and Mesopotamian styles.
Near Geographic
Most of Persia consisted of desert and was flat. However it was surrounded by mountains.