a) A standing army:
- The Persian Empire maintained a large standing army to conquer and control their territories.
- The army was divided into units, each responsible for a specific region.
- Soldiers were well-trained and disciplined and equipped with advanced weapons.
b) Use of local elites:
- The Persians often used local elites to govern conquered regions.
- This helped maintain control by giving locals a stake in the empire.
c) Religious tolerance:
- The Persians were generally tolerant of the religious beliefs of conquered peoples, which helped to maintain stability.
d) Infrastructure development:
- The Persians built an extensive network of roads and canals to facilitate communication and trade.
- This infrastructure also helped to integrate different parts of the empire and make them more manageable.
e) Effective administration:
- The Persians had an efficient system of administration, with a central government and local satrapies.
- Satraps were appointed to govern provinces and were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining order, and ensuring the loyalty of the population.
B. Institutions
a) Royal court:
- The Persian Empire was ruled by a central government centered on the royal court.
- The king was the absolute ruler and held all power.
b) Satrapies:
- The empire was divided into provinces called satrapies, each governed by a satrap appointed by the king.
- Satraps were responsible for collecting taxes, maintaining order, and ensuring the loyalty of the population.
c) Zoroastrianism:
- The Zoroastrian religion played an important role in unifying the Persian Empire.
- It emphasized loyalty to the king and obedience to the law, reinforcing social and political stability.
d) Royal Road:
- The Royal Road was a network of roads built by the Persians to connect different parts of their empire.
- It facilitated communication, trade, and military movements, making it a critical institution for maintaining control.