Compare the techniques of the Assyrians and the Persians in building and maintaining an empire.

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Students should be able to characterize the Assyrian Empire as evolving first and ultimately giving rise to the Persian Empire through its downfall. The Assyrian Empire was created from military necessity as a defense against the incursions of foreign peoples. Eventually, by gaining control over trade access to the Tigris River, the Assyrians were able to begin levying taxes and take advantage of the Iron Age in ways that no one else had done yet. They combined iron weaponry and cavalry with one of the largest standing armies in the Near East. In assimilation of the various territories under their domain, the Assyrians used terror and intimidation to suppress any potential rebellion, although rebellions continued to occur. Enslaved peoples were deported and reassigned to completely new and foreign territories, and they were kept in line through constant threats, torture, and graphic depictions of torture art. Eventually, resentment grew strong enough that subjugated populations rebelled, arising to form a united opposition in 612. Four component states emerged from the remnants of the Assyrian Empire, with the Chaldeans initially taking the lead in forming a basis of power. Soon, however, the Persians overcame the Medeans under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, who continued to expand his empire across Medes, Persia, Chaldea, and Lydia. Cambyses brought Egypt into the empire, and Darius the Great reigned over a very large and heterogeneous empire. However, both Cyrus and Darius ruled with a lighter hand, allowing some degree of autonomy to various provinces, allowing religious tolerance, and emphasizing growth of both culture and trade for a more positive assimilation and maintenance of the empire.