Social Environment
Satraps The king would hand pick a governor for each sub-city. The governor would govern the city under the name of the King. These governors were called satraps. The satraps would be inspected by inspectors of the king to make sure they are staying faithful.
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Social classes Slaves were at the bottom of the social pyramid. Most people in the empire, including those who were average, struggled as farmers or craftspeople. The social structure is kings, priests, military, traders, craftsmen, farmers, and slaves. A difference in status and wealth seen through clothing, diet, and education. Men had power over the women. The empire respected all of the cultural diversity. Free classes included the merchants, craftsmen, and artisans.
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TaxesThe Persians themselves paid not taxes. There was enough money coming in from other states that there was no need for them.
Slaves Slaves were normally captured from conquered civilizations. Slaves were a large portion of the class system. Slaves were captured from war, or rebelled to pay debts. Enslaved humans were needed to work on agriculture, warfare, and monumental construction.
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Women had limited property rights. Family was the basic social unit. Incest was against the laws of the Persian empire, but successive Persian Great Kings often slept with the wives and daughters of their brothers. Divorce was almost unheard of, but it was not unlawful.
Family Priests interpreted the teachings of Zoroaster through their own beliefs. There was only a small artisan class within Persian society.Social hierarchy placed craftsmen between warriors and peasants. Scribes ranked higher than other craftsmen in the East. The Persian Empire was centered on an elaborate cult of kingship in which the monarch could be approached through an elaborate ritual. Ruling by the will of the Persian god, kings were absolute monarchs.
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