Persian Empire

Expanded Biblical Genealogy and History of Persia

1. The Lineage of Noah and Japheth After the flood, Noah's sons—Shem, Ham, and Japheth—became the ancestors of different groups. Japheth’s lineage includes the Indo-European peoples, who settled across Asia Minor, Central Asia, and Europe.
2. Madai, Ancestor of the Medes
   • Madai, one of Japheth’s sons, is traditionally associated with the Medes, an ancient people in the region of modern-day Iran. The Medes formed early kingdoms that eventually united with the Persians to establish what became the Medo-Persian Empire.
   • Genesis 10:2-5 lists Madai as a son of Japheth, linking the Medes, and indirectly the Persians, to Noah.
3. The Rise of the Medes and Persians
   • By the time of the Old Testament prophets, the Medes and Persians had risen in power. They were initially separate peoples but closely related by culture and language.

Distinct Genealogies

• Medes: According to Genesis 10:2, the Medes descended from Madai, a son of Japheth. This makes them part of the broader Indo-European lineage, specifically linked to the peoples who settled in areas of Central Asia and the Iranian plateau.
• Persians: The Persians also settled in the Iranian plateau but are generally traced to Elam, a son of Shem (Genesis 10:22). Elamites were early inhabitants of southwestern Iran, particularly in the region of Elam, which later became part of Persia’s territory.

Shared Language Family and Cultural Similarities

• The Medes and Persians spoke closely related languages belonging to the Indo-Iranian language group, which is part of the larger Indo-European family. This linguistic connection, along with shared cultural and religious beliefs, made it easier for the two groups to ally and cooperate.
• Zoroastrianism, a major religion during the Medo-Persian period, influenced both groups and reinforced their cultural bond.

The Elamites and Persians: Connection through Shem

1. Biblical Lineage of Elam
   • Elam, the son of Shem (Genesis 10:22), is recognized as the ancestor of the Elamites, who established one of the earliest known civilizations in what is now southwestern Iran.
   • The Elamite civilization dates back to around 3000 BCE and flourished in the region known as Elam, which included the city of Susa (modern-day Shush, Iran). This region would later become part of the Persian Empire.

Elamite Kingdom and Early Interactions with Israel

• 2000 BCE - 1000 BCE: The Elamite kingdom thrived, at times interacting with the Mesopotamian empires like the Akkadians and Babylonians. In the Bible, Elam is mentioned as a distinct people and sometimes in conflict with Israel (Isaiah 11:11, Jeremiah 49:34-39).
• 700 BCE: The Elamites appear in biblical prophecies, especially concerning judgment and destruction (Jeremiah 49:34-39). These prophecies reflect the region’s volatility and the eventual decline of Elam’s independence.

Transition from Elamites to Persians

• By the 7th century BCE, the Elamite kingdom had weakened due to internal strife and external pressures, including Assyrian invasions.
• The Persians emerged from the Parsuash tribe (Parsua; Parsuash; Parsumash; Persians), who settled in Parsa (Fars) in southern Iran, near Elam in the 7th century BC.
• Over time, the Persians assimilated and absorbed Elamite culture, customs, and political structures. As the Elamite kingdom faded, the Persian tribes grew in power.

The Achaemenid Dynasty

The Achaemenids were Persians, who were part of the larger Indo-Iranian peoples. This ethnic group migrated to the Iranian plateau from Central Asia around the second millennium BCE.

Herodotus lists the leading Persian tribes as the; Pasargadae, the Maraphii and the Maspii. The Achaemenians, the royal family of Persia, belonged to the Pasargadae tribe.

The Achaemenid Dynasty is believed to have originated around modern-day Fars Province in Iran. It began to establish power under the leadership of Achaemenes and evolved over generations into a dominant political force. The dynasty flourished under Cyrus the Great and expanded significantly, eventually encompassing a vast empire stretching from the Balkans to the Indus Valley.

Achaemenes:

• Considered the eponymous ancestor of the Achaemenid dynasty, Achaemenes is often described as a tribal chief. Some sources suggest he may have ruled during the 7th century BCE.
• The term found in European languages, such as Greek (Ἀχαιμένης, Achaiménēs) and Latin (Achaemenes), originates from the Old Persian name Haxāmaniš (𐏃𐎧𐎠𐎶𐎴𐎡𐏁). This name appears alongside its Elamite equivalent 𒄩𒀝𒋡𒉽𒉡𒆜 (Ha-ak-ka-man-nu-iš or Hâkamannuiš) and the Akkadian form 𒀀𒄩𒈠𒉌𒅖𒀪 (A-ḫa-ma-ni-iš-ʾ) in the trilingual Behistun Inscription of Darius I, which was created later. Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, is one of history's most notable figures, renowned for his achievements in creating one of the largest empires of the ancient world and for his policies of tolerance and respect for local customs. Here's a detailed overview of his history and genealogy:

Cyrus I:

• Cyrus I (Old Persian: Kuruš) or Cyrus I of Anshan or Cyrus I of Persia was a descendant of Achaemenes, he is noted as a ruler of Anshan, (modern Tall-e Malyan) an ancient Elamite and Persian city. Today Persia is now known as southwestern Iran. His reign is generally placed in the 7th century BCE.

Cambyses I:

• The son of Cyrus I, Cambyses I ruled Anshan and was instrumental in establishing the Achaemenid power base. He married a daughter of the Median king, which strengthened ties with the Medes.

Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great):

• The son of Cambyses I and his wife, whose name is not well-documented. He was born around 600 BCE and came to prominence by overthrowing Astyages, the Median king, around 550 BCE.

Cyrus The Great - Background and Early Life

• Birth and Early Years: Cyrus was born around 600-576 BCE, in Persia (modern-day Iran), possibly in the city of Anshan. His father was Cambyses I, the king of Anshan, and his mother was Mandane, the daughter of Astyages, the king of Media. This lineage placed Cyrus in a unique position, straddling two significant kingdoms.
• Childhood and Rise to Power: According to historical accounts, particularly those by Herodotus, Cyrus was raised in the Median court. His early years were marked by a prophecy that he would overthrow his grandfather, Astyages. When Cyrus grew up, he did indeed challenge and ultimately defeat Astyages in 550 BCE, leading to the fall of Media and the establishment of Persian dominance.

The Alliance and Formation of the Medo-Persian Empire

Cyaxares was succeeded by his son Astyages. In 553 BCE, Cyrus the Great, the King of Persia, a Median vassal, revolted against the Median king. In 550 BCE, Cyrus finally won a decisive victory resulting in Astyages' capture by his own dissatisfied nobles, who promptly turned him over to the triumphant Cyrus.

• Around 550 BCE, Cyrus the Great of Persia led a revolt against the ruling Median king, Astyages. Although this ended Median political dominance, Cyrus maintained close ties with the Medes, respecting their customs and leadership structures.
• Under Cyrus and later Persian rulers, the empire became known as the Medo-Persian Empire due to the unity of these two peoples, with Medes often serving in high positions within the empire.

Formation of the Persian Empire under the Achaemenids

• 550 BCE: Cyrus the Great of Persia unified the Persian tribes and, after defeating the Medes, created the Achaemenid Empire.
• Integration of Elam: Cyrus respected Elam’s legacy, making Susa, a former Elamite capital, one of his administrative centers. Susa became one of the key cities of the Persian Empire, highlighting the enduring Elamite influence within Persian governance.