What geographic features or civilizations do you recognize in the Persian Empire?

The Persians• Allowed their subjects to

keep their own language, religion, and laws

• Used fairness instead of fear and force

• Wanted their subjects to pay taxes and produce goods for trade

• Controlled an empire that stretched from the Indus River to Egypt and Asia Minor

Darius the Great• Adopted the invention of

coins to improve economy

• Divided empire into provinces and appointed governors to rule each province

• Created the Royal Road to help government send messengers, armies and to facilitate trade

The Royal Road• Building this road

allowed Darius’ messengers to make a trip across the empire in about 6 weeks (formerly it took 6 months!)

• Messengers rode in relay style switching horses every few miles (like the pony express)

Xerxes

Invasion of Greece