Worksheet: resources of the Empire.

20 marks
a) For each of the 6 sources below, write a comment on the knowledge of the resources of the
Empire extracted from the source. 12 marks
Source 1: Granger, lecture 2006 - comments on the size of the Empire.
It was multi-national, multi-legal and multi-cultural: and quite simply huge. It required
great political and military acumen to keep it together: and keep it together the Persian did
for some two centuries. This was done by and large by allowing maximum autonomy in
local affairs and maximum control by military garrisons.
Source 2: Garrison Inscription from Persepolis.
Xerxes the King says: By the favour of Ahuramazda, these are the countries whose king I
am, except for Persia. I am ruler over them. They bear me their tribute. What is said to them
from me, that they do. My edict, that they hold. Media, Elam, Arachosia, Urartu, Drangiana,
Parthia, Aria, Bactria, Sogdia, Chorasmia, Babylonia, Assyria, Sattagydia, Sardis, Egypt, the
Ionians who dwell in the ocean and who dwell on the other side of the ocean, Maka,
Arabians, Gandara, India, Cappadocia, Dahai, Amyrgian Cimmerians, Pointed-Cap
Cimmerians, Skudra, Akaufaka, Libya, Caria, Ethiopia.
Source 3 : Inscription of Darius from Susa
This palace which I erected at Susa, its materials have been brought from afar. When the
earth had been thoroughly excavated, the rubble was packed in, one part forty cubits, one
part twenty cubits deep. On that rubble the palace was erected. That the earth was
thoroughly excavated and that the rubble was packed in and that the unbaked bricks have
been moulded - all this was the work of Babylonians. And timber, cedar, was bought from
Lebanon. The Assyrian people, they brought it to Babylon and from Babylon Carians and
Ionians brought it to Susa. Teak was brought from Gandara and Carmania. Gold was
brought from Sardis and Bactria, and manufactured here. And precious stone - lapis lazuli
and carnelian which were worked here, these were brought from Sogdiana, and turquoise
was brought from Choresmia. And silver and ebony were brought from Egypt. And the
material with which the wall of the palace was painted, that was brought from Ionia. And the
ivory that was wrought here, that was brought from Ethiopia and India and from Arachosia.
And the stone pillars which were fashioned here, these were brought from...Elam. The
masons who wrought the stones, they were Ionians and Sardians. The goldsmiths who
wrought the gold, they were Medes and Egyptians. And the men who worked on the wood,
they were Sardians and Egyptians. The men who worked on the baked bricks were
Babylonians. And the men who adorned the wall, they were Medes and Egyptians. And
Darius the King says; At Susa, splendid things were ordered and splendid things were
achieved.
Source 4 -Herodotus [1.192] Among many proofs which I shall bring forward of the power
and resources of the Babylonians, the following is of special account. The whole country
under the dominion of the Persians, besides paying a fixed tribute, is parcelled out into
divisions, which have to supply food to the Great King and his army during different
portions of the year. Now out of the twelve months which go to a year, the district of
Babylon furnishes food during four, the other of Asia during eight; by the which it appears
that Assyria, in respect of resources, is one-third of the whole of Asia. Of all the Persian
governments, or satrapies as they are called by the natives, this is by far the best

Source 5: bas relief from Apadana at Persepolis

Source 6: Herodotus 8.98

Nothing mortal travels so fast as these Persian messengers. The entire plan is a Persian
invention; and this is the method of it. Along the whole line of road there are men (they say)
stationed with horses, in number equal to the number of days which the journey takes,
allowing a man and horse to each day; and these men will not be hindered from
accomplishing at their best speed the distance which they have to go, either by snow, or rain,
or heat, or by the darkness of night.
b) Outline some of the resources a Persian King could call on when he needed to go to war. Outline
some of the resources a Persian King could call on when he wanted to embark on an extensive
building program.
c) Using the 6 sources and your own knowledge, describe the resources of the Persian Empire.
8 marks.