Ancient Persia Slides - Part 1

Multiple Choice

Ancient Indians wrote the Vedas, a set of sacred texts, over hundreds of years. The texts state the duties of different social groups.

This information is most related to how ancient people

• built temples.

• honored soldiers.

• organized society.

• remembered history.

Multiple Choice

Use the information to answer the question.

The Neolithic Revolution created one of the greatest economic shifts in human history. People moved from food gathering to food producing through the domestication of animals and the practice of agriculture.

Based on this passage, what was one effect of the Neolithic Revolution?

• It led to the creation of a trade market for animal skins.

• It influenced the development of simple stone tools.

• It encouraged the establishment of permanent settlements.

• It led to the invention of advanced navigation tools for shipping.

Multiple Choice

Which aspect of ancient Israelite society best reflects the influence of theocracy in their government structure?

• Kings and rulers were chosen solely based on military strength.

• Laws were based on religious principles, such as those found in the Torah.

• The government separated religious leadership from political decision-making.

• Trade and commerce were prioritized over religious authority in governance.

Multiple Choice

What is the definition of filial piety?

• Respect for your parents and elders

• The relinquishing of all material possessions

• The process of Confucian prayer

• The importance of educating children

Persia

Greece

Multiple Select

What regions did the Persian Empire control at its height?

• Egypt

• Iran

• Turkey

• Greece

Multiple Choice

Which city on this map marks the westernmost extent of the Persian Empire?

• Hattusas

• Damascus

• Cyrene

• Nineveh

Multiple Choice

Which area on this map was never conquered by the Persians, even at the height of their empire?

• Babylonia

• Assyria

• Egypt

• Greece

Multiple Select

What were the main contributions of the Persian Empire?

• Tolerance of conquered peoples

• Development of an imperial bureaucracy

• Construction of a road system

• Practice of Zoroastrianism

• Development of Democracy

Multiple Choice

What qualities made Cyrus the Great a respected leader?

• He was a military strategist

• He was tolerant of other cultures

• He expanded his empire aggressively

• He was known for his wealth

Multiple Choice

Persian King Darius I

• did away with separate governors in each province

• sent the Zoroastrians into exile

• established a citizen army to serve during times of war

• reorganized the Persian government to make it more efficient.

Reorder

Put the following events in order

• Darius I becomes ruler

• Royal Road construction

• Improved trade & communication

1

2

3

• 1
• 2
• 3

Multiple Choice

Persian rulers were so successful, and unlike other rulers at the time because they were...

• always taking new lands

• stronger than other empires

• hostile toward conquered groups

• tolerant of other cultures

Multiple Choice

Why did the Persians most likely build the Royal Road?

• To isolate the conquered peoples of the empire

• To develop a trade route with ancient Indian civilizations

• To supply the army no matter how far they traveled

• To follow the religious journey of Zarathustra

Multiple Choice

The main religion of Persia was -

• Christianity

• Judaism

• Polytheism

• Zoroastrianism

Multiple Choice

Which ruler is credited with the founding of the Persian Empire?

• Ramses the Great

• Alexander the Great

• Cyrus the Great

• Darius

Multiple Choice

How did the Persian Empire manage its territories as it expanded?

• It mismanaged its territories and lost land as a result.

• It divided the empire into provinces that were managed by appointed governors.

• It stationed army bases in every major city of the empire.

• It held democratic elections to determine state rulers.

Page 87 - Q1

Who is Ahura Mazda and Ahriman?

The supreme being is known as Ahura Mazda, which means “Wise Lord.” Zoroastrianism states that he created the world and all of the people on the earth.

Anghra Mainyu or Ahriman is known as the “Destructive Spirit” and is the creator of everything evil. Ahriman and Ahura Mazda are in a cosmic battle, which can be seen as a battle between good and evil.

Zoroastrianism has angels, guardian angels, and archangels. Ahriman has demons that assist him.

When one dies, they cross over the Bridge of Reckoning, where they then either go to Heaven or Hell. Hell is only temporary, and when Ahura Mazda finally defeats evil, all of the spirits will be freed.

The holy text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta.

A key concept to the religion is Asha, where one seeks righteousness, eternal law, fitness, and truth.

What is the sacred text of Zoroastrianism?

The supreme being is known as Ahura Mazda, which means “Wise Lord.” Zoroastrianism states that he created the world and all of the people on the earth.

Anghra Mainyu or Ahriman is known as the “Destructive Spirit” and is the creator of everything evil. Ahriman and Ahura Mazda are in a cosmic battle, which can be seen as a battle between good and evil.

Zoroastrianism has angels, guardian angels, and archangels. Ahriman has demons that assist him.

When one dies, they cross over the Bridge of Reckoning, where they then either go to Heaven or Hell. Hell is only temporary, and when Ahura Mazda finally defeats evil, all of the spirits will be freed.

The holy text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta.

A key concept to the religion is Asha, where one seeks righteousness, eternal law, fitness, and truth.

What does it say happens to someone when they die?

The supreme being is known as Ahura Mazda, which means “Wise Lord.” Zoroastrianism states that he created the world and all of the people on the earth.

Anghra Mainyu or Ahriman is known as the “Destructive Spirit” and is the creator of everything evil. Ahriman and Ahura Mazda are in a cosmic battle, which can be seen as a battle between good and evil.

Zoroastrianism has angels, guardian angels, and archangels. Ahriman has demons that assist him.

When one dies, they cross over the Bridge of Reckoning, where they then either go to Heaven or Hell. Hell is only temporary, and when Ahura Mazda finally defeats evil, all of the spirits will be freed.

The holy text of Zoroastrianism is the Avesta.

A key concept to the religion is Asha, where one seeks righteousness, eternal law, fitness, and truth.

Page 87 - Q2

What is Nowruz?

Numerous times a day, a short cleansing ritual occurs where one reties their kusti or cord that they wear as a sign of their faith. They also recite prayers daily while covering their head.

Nowruz is the Persian New Year and one of the most important holy days for Zoroastrians. It happens on March 21st as they follow the Fasli calendar for this holiday. Some, who use the Qadmi calendar, celebrate it in July or August. During Nowruz, they celebrate the earth, water, air, animals, plants, and the sky. People clean their house and then decorate it and will visit relatives. On March 21st, they will visit the Fire Temple for worship.

Khordad Sal is the Prophet Zarathustra’s birthday and six days after Nowruz. Families gather together and decorate with flowers and their floors with colored powder.

Gahambars are seasonal festivals that focus on Ahura Mazda’s creations. There are six throughout the year.

Megregan is the Persian Festival of Autumn that honors the goddess of light, love, and friendship. It is usually held in October and also celebrates the harvest.

When is it celebrated?

Numerous times a day, a short cleansing ritual occurs where one reties their kusti or cord that they wear as a sign of their faith. They also recite prayers daily while covering their head.

Nowruz is the Persian New Year and one of the most important holy days for Zoroastrians. It happens on March 21st as they follow the Fasli calendar for this holiday. Some, who use the Qadmi calendar, celebrate it in July or August. During Nowruz, they celebrate the earth, water, air, animals, plants, and the sky. People clean their house and then decorate it and will visit relatives. On March 21st, they will visit the Fire Temple for worship.

Khordad Sal is the Prophet Zarathustra’s birthday and six days after Nowruz. Families gather together and decorate with flowers and their floors with colored powder.

Gahambars are seasonal festivals that focus on Ahura Mazda’s creations. There are six throughout the year.

Megregan is the Persian Festival of Autumn that honors the goddess of light, love, and friendship. It is usually held in October and also celebrates the harvest.

What is its significance within Zoroastrianism?

Numerous times a day, a short cleansing ritual occurs where one reties their kusti or cord that they wear as a sign of their faith. They also recite prayers daily while covering their head.

Nowruz is the Persian New Year and one of the most important holy days for Zoroastrians. It happens on March 21st as they follow the Fasli calendar for this holiday. Some, who use the Qadmi calendar, celebrate it in July or August. During Nowruz, they celebrate the earth, water, air, animals, plants, and the sky. People clean their house and then decorate it and will visit relatives. On March 21st, they will visit the Fire Temple for worship.

Khordad Sal is the Prophet Zarathustra’s birthday and six days after Nowruz. Families gather together and decorate with flowers and their floors with colored powder.

Gahambars are seasonal festivals that focus on Ahura Mazda’s creations. There are six throughout the year.

Megregan is the Persian Festival of Autumn that honors the goddess of light, love, and friendship. It is usually held in October and also celebrates the harvest.

Page 87 - Q3

How does one keep themselves pure and the world pure? List 3 items.

Suffering comes from evil forces.

Ahura Mazda is all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere. He is the source of all goodness and happiness.

Humans are divine in nature and are not born as sinners. Everyone is born pure and must decide which way they will follow. They must be aware of the dangers and evil that is in the world and stay away from it.

One must not pollute fire, water, air, or the earth to keep it pure.

When the spirit has moved on, bodies should not be buried, cremated, nor thrown into the water. They should have a sky burial where they are placed out to be eaten by birds as the bodies are impure.

Due to their teachings about purity, a person cannot enslave another person.

There will be a judgment day where evil forces will be destroyed, and souls will either go to Heaven or to purgatory.

Ritual chanting helps to establish order and purity in the world.

Water and fire are agents to assist with ritual purity.

Page 87 - Q4

What did Zoroaster do before he started to spread the teachings of Ahura Mazda?

Zoroaster is also known as Zarathustra and is the founder of Zoroastrianism. No one knows exactly when he lived as various dates, some hundreds of years apart, have been entered into the scholarly debate, each with their own backing and reason. No matter when he was born, he would leave a mark on the religious world by laying the groundwork for one of the ancient world’s major religions as it was the state religion of Persia.

Zoroaster was a priest within his communities’ polytheistic religion. However, he had a vision during a spring festival where Vohu Manah, or Good Purpose, revealed himself and told Zoroaster about Ahura Mazda. After that experience, he began to teach about one god instead of numerous ones and brought in the concept of dualism when speaking about the good and evil conflict that was happening within the spiritual realm.

It is said that Zoroaster lived until he was 77 years old but was killed by a priest of the old religion of the people. However, this cannot be known for certain.

What caused him to change to a monotheistic faith?

Zoroaster is also known as Zarathustra and is the founder of Zoroastrianism. No one knows exactly when he lived as various dates, some hundreds of years apart, have been entered into the scholarly debate, each with their own backing and reason. No matter when he was born, he would leave a mark on the religious world by laying the groundwork for one of the ancient world’s major religions as it was the state religion of Persia.

Zoroaster was a priest within his communities’ polytheistic religion. However, he had a vision during a spring festival where Vohu Manah, or Good Purpose, revealed himself and told Zoroaster about Ahura Mazda. After that experience, he began to teach about one god instead of numerous ones and brought in the concept of dualism when speaking about the good and evil conflict that was happening within the spiritual realm.

It is said that Zoroaster lived until he was 77 years old but was killed by a priest of the old religion of the people. However, this cannot be known for certain.