Ap World History Chapter 7 Notes

WH Chapter 7

146-150

1. Political

        a. There were a class of educated bureaucrats who run day-to-day affairs.

2. Social

        a. The class of educated bureaucrats enjoyed a prominent and comfortable place in Persian society.

        b. There was a free class. The urban one included artisans, craftsmen, merchants, civil servants, priests, and priestesses. They could participate in religious observances and share the income of temples.

        c. The free class in the countryside included peasants and land cultivators who worked as laborers or tenants. They could marry and move as they wanted. Their work consisted not only of cultivation but also of building and maintenance of irrigation system.

        d.  The slaves come either from prisoners of war or from bankrupted free class members. They could not move or marry; they usually worked as domestic servants, land cultivators, and construction laborers. However, some slaves might enjoy protection from powerful individuals they had close relationship with.

3. Economic

        a. Beginning about 640 BCE, the kings of Lydia issued standardized metal coins. They were simple to use, so plenty of merchants were attracted to Lydian markets.

        b. Coins were brought to the Achaemenid empire when Cyrus defeated King Croesus. Then markets opened in the larger cities of the empire.  

        c. Long distance trade linked lands from India to Egypt. They took place both in land routes and over sea lanes. Land routes included the Persian Royal Road, whereas the sea lanes involved the Red Sea, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea.

1. RELIGIONS OF SALVATION IN CLASSICAL PERSIAN SOCIETY

Persians from Indo-European. Early religion resembles Aryans of India. New Zoroastrianism influenced Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

1. Zarathustra and His Faith

1. Early Persian celebrated natural elements and geographic features, like Aryans.
2. Zarathustra: During classical era, Zarathustra real person in 1200-1000 BCE. Aristocrat tired of sacrifice and rituals, found Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord).
3. The Gathas: Priests as Magi, Holy book as Avesta. Zarathustra’s work as Gathas, hymns that were originally oral. Islam in 7 cen CE led to loss of many Zara works.
4. Zoroastrian Teaching: Ahura Mazda the superior, Gathas the minor. Angra mainyu is the evil god. Moral undergo judgement to go to either heaven or hell.
5. Popularity of Zoroastrianism: Material world is a blessing from god. Men should enjoy the world as long as in moderation and honesty. Large followers during 6 cen BCE. Wealthy donated to temples. Darius, Achaemenid emperors related with Ahura Mazda, but tolerated other religion.  Zoro spreaded to Mesopotamia, Anatolia and Egypt.

1. Religions of Salvation in a Cosmopolitan Society

1. Alexander of Macedon, suppressed Zoro. Parthians supported Zoro, but less prosper.
2. Officially Sponsored Zoroastrianism: During Sasanid dynasty, royal support and persecuted other religions. Written doctrines emerged. During 7 cen CE, Islamic conquerors pressured the Zoros. Parsis went to India, some still continued Zoroastrianism today.
3. Other Faiths: Cosmopolitan character of Persian society gave rise to other religions. Jewish communities prospered. Persian attracted people. Religions of salvation – Buddhism, Christianity, and Manichaeism – learnt from Judaism.
4. Influence of Zoroastrianism: Jews studied Zoro, leading to Christianity and Islam, notion about a good god versus an evil good, good prevails bad, Salvation (men undergoing judgment to heaven or hell).

IDs:

        Zoroastrianism: A salvation religion that hails the superior god called Ahura Mazda. It is formed by Zarathustra, a man that lived during 1200 and 1000 BCE. It praised enjoyment in material world and also modesty and moderation of people. It thrived throughout classical Persian era. The contrast of a good god and an evil god, influenced Jews, Christianity and Islam.