Persia-Park

The Greeks were not a concern to the Persians, because the Persians were superior on every level.

1. Size- The Persians were the largest empire ever seen. To create an empire that large suggest superior technology, a good socio-economic status, and a well-structured political system.

2. Technology- For such an early civilization/empire, the Persians far surpassed others of their time. For example, they developed an underground irrigation systems, which allowed for farming in otherwise difficult areas. They created an effective way to transport water without losing most of it to evaporation due to the hot temperatures of the surrounding climate.

3. Socio-economic- Persian society was divided into three classes--warrior, priests, and peasants--and had a strong patriarchy. This created a structured society and is partially responsible for the accomplishments of the empire. The construction of Persepolis is a demonstration of the resources, economic power, and labor force of the Persians.

4. Political- Because the empire was so large, the Persians needed a new political system to maintain control. Darius I, who expanded the Persian empire the most, divided it into 20 provinces each led by a satrap. A satrap is like a governor who is related to the royal family, usually through marriage. This helped keep centralized power of a large expanse of territory.

The combination of these four factors made the Persians a force to be reckoned with, and so, from the Persian perspective, Greece posed no threat.