PERSIA AND GREECE
ABSTRACT
This lecture discusses the changing geo-political landscape of Mesopotamia, including the rise of the Neo-Assyrians and the Achaemenid Empire (ca. 550–330 BCE). It introduces Zorastrianism and discusses the layout of Persepolis.

KEY PEOPLES 
•	Neo-Assyrian Empire (934-608 BCE)
•	Achaemenid (Persian) Empire (ca. 550–330 BCE)
•	Scythians
•	Darius (550-486 BCE)
•	Zoroaster (between 1500 BCE and 1000 BCE)

KEY CONCEPTS
•	Kurgan
•	Royal Road of Persians
•	Apadana
•	Zoroastrianism (Ahura Mazda: deity)
•	Agiary  (Gujarati word for ‘places of fire’)
•	Fire Ritual
•	Towers of Silence (dakhma)
•	Agora and Acropolis
•	Stylobate, echinus, frieze, metope, peripetral

KEY PLACES
•	Dur Sharukin (700 BCE)
•	Arzhan, Russiam ca. 900 BCE
•	Persepolis (ca. 550-330 BCE)
•	Apadana and Throne Hall at Persepolis
•	Tomb of Darius, Persepolis (486 BCE)
•	Yazd, Iran
•	Agora of Athens
•	Parthenon (440s BCE)
•	Temple of Hephaestus

NOTES ON SELECT TERMS
Zoroastrianism
A religion and philosophy based on the teachings of prophet Zoroaster (also known as Zarathustra). The Creator Ahura Mazda is all good, and no evil originates from him. Good and evil have distinct sources, with evil rying to destroy the creation of Mazda, and good trying to sustain it. Mazda is not immanent in the world; his creation is represented by a host of avatars, through whom his works are evident to humanity, and through whom worship of Mazda is ultimately directed.

- Unlike previous religions it was not just for the elites, but for all
- It organized society by economic activities: 
- A religion of inflexible, hierarchical social organization
- State Religion of the Persian Empire from about 400 BCE onward
- Mountain top altars and towers of silence.

Zoroastrian temples, also know as agiaries or "places of fire," include a holy fire to represent the goodness and purity toward which all should strive. Once it is properly consecrated, a temple fire should never be allowed to go out, although it can be transported to another location if necessary. When tending to the fire, a cloth known as a padan is worn over the mouth and nose so that breath and saliva do not pollute the fire. This reflects an outlook on saliva that is similar to Hindu beliefs, which shares some historical origins with Zoroastrianism, where saliva is never allowed to touch eating utensils due to its unclean properties. Fire is venerated as a great purifying agent and as a symbol of Ahura Mazda’s power, but it is in no way worshiped or thought to be Ahura Mazda himself. In the same way, Catholics do not worship holy water, although the recognize that it has spiritual properties. There are three "grades" of sacred fires: each one, in ancient times, corresponded with a sector of society, and each grade has a different level of holiness and ritual purity

Ancient Egypt
Ruled by temple functionaries in relationship to pharaohs.
Linear village along Nile with urban densities around palaces and 
temples. From 750 BCE onward, ruled more or less by outsiders: Kushites, Assyrians, Persians, Geeks, Romans. 
Main economy: agriculture

Persia 
Ruled by clan aristocracy. Cities were few and not seats of power. Power was located in the form of a mega-convention-center-palace. 
Main economy: trans-continental trade

Athens (and Greece as a whole)
Independent city states: Ruled through an assortment of political types, from republic to monarchy
Main economy: bronze, crafts and Mediterranean trade.