Persia and Rome were both ancient empires that had their fair share of feuds. Both empires are still standing today. However, life was different in those days than it is now. Persia and Rome both have prospered. Iran is now Persia. It is not under harsh laws. Although Rome is the same place as years ago, its operations have changed significantly. In the years B.C.E., Rome was taken over by Persia. Both of them created products that we still use today. The greatest question no-one really knows the truth about is why Rome and Persia are alike and how do they differ. To understand the similarities between the two empires it is necessary to first understand how each empire was managed and how they flourished.

Rome was established in the eighth Century B.C.E. and survived for 500 years under its republican constitution. Rome was named after Romulus (a twin boy) and Remus (a girl-wolf). As they grew old, they created Rome and helped it grow. Remus wanted a king so he took over the throne. Romulus didn’t like the idea of his brother having more power than he had. Romulus took control and killed Remus, his brother. Romulus gave Rome its name after himself. Rome was subject to many economic and political changes over the 500 years it remained standing, but the many feuds it created with other empires would bring it down.

Rome was once a monarchy. The aristocracy involved rankings. Many people were unhappy with the way the Roman aristocracy was being run, particularly the plebeians. They threatened to seize the patricians who were the ruling class of the Roman Empire. The patricians gave them permission to elect a Tribute, who would give them direction. After the war with the Plebeians had ended, Rome was able to wage three wars called the Punic Wars. This battle took place between Rome and Carthage. Carthage’s leader was Hannibal Barca. Hannibal Barca had ruled the Italian Peninsula for fifteen years. Rome continued to fight Carthage. The Romans subjected them a long battle (conquered the capital, burned it down, and sold fifty thousand of its survivors into slavery).

Rome was not always a flourishing empire. Odoacer, a Germanic leader took over Rome. Rome also suffered a financial collapse due to their dependence too heavily on slave labour to make it money.

Persia wasn’t the most successful country. Persia had 4 ruling dynasties including the Achaemenids Seleucids parthians and sassanids. Persia is a central Asian nation that settled in Iran. 550 B.C. The year that Cyrus ii conquered most of the Medes’ empires was 550 B.C. Cyrus ii gained control of Assyria’s old kingdom. He then brought under his control a large army consisting of Persian and Median horsemen who could use bow and arrow to conquer more land and expand the empire. Cyrus ii is better known as Cyrusthe great. He founded the Persian empire after conquering Medes. It extended from Anatolia to India’s border.

Cambyses I, Cyrus’ son, took control. But Cambyses did not live long enough to know much about his rule over Persia. Darius I., another Achaemenid ruler, became the next Persian ruler. Darius began to realize that his empire was getting too big. His empire was becoming too big for him to give them instructions. He could no longer ride on horseback through the country in one day. To make his reign as Emperor more manageable, he divided his country into 23 districts and created a satrap for each district. A satrap (or a governess) is someone who serves as an advisor to the Emperor. Instead of making long trips from one place to the next, Darius gave the instructions to the satraps. Darius was soon able to see that he wanted more and made Persia Persepolis his capital. Darius also established tax levies and standardized laws. He is regularly remembered by his descendants.

Darius’ son Xerxes succeeded him to the throne. He was a cruel, weak leader, and was defeated against Greece in the Persian War. He did not win the battles Marathon or Thermopylae. The empire lasted another century but was weakened by revolts from Persia. Alexander the Great was quick to take control of Persia. He took all Persia’s wealth and made sure they had nothing left.

Author

  • landonwong

    Landon Wong is a 34-year-old educational bloger and teacher. He has been teaching in the US for 12 years and has worked as a tutor, librarian, and high school teacher. In his spare time, he enjoys writing and teaching.