The Satrapies of the Persian Empire

Abstract

Abstract The chapter provides an overview of the Persian Empire’s rule over Babylonia and Assyria, covering historical events as well as social and economic aspects. After his victory over the Babylonians, Cyrus the Great was given a ceremonial reception in Babylon and was staged in the inscription of the Cyrus Cylinder as their liberator from the unjust rule of Nabonidus, the last king of the Neo-Babylonian Empire. This positive image of Cyrus is contrasted with other testimonies, and his success is explained by the fact that he did not intervene in the local administration or in the temples, which were important for the royal economy. Babylonia was a central satrapy of the Persian Empire and Babylon one of its main imperial residences. Nevertheless, there were revolts against Persian rule under Darius I and Xerxes I. The latter’s characterization as a despot, which was shaped by Herodotus and other classical authors, has recently seen revision. Although there is no archaeological evidence for his alleged destruction of temples, the cuneiform documentation nevertheless shows that administrative restructuring, changes concerning the temples, and a disentanglement between Southern and Northern Babylonia took place at that time, and this is best explained as consequences of the uprisings. Clear parallels to Cyrus’s actions can be seen in Alexander the Great. He, too, ceremonially entered Babylon after his victory over Darius III and staged himself as “king of Babylon.” Overall, the chapter draws an ambivalent picture of Persian rule over Babylonia, opening up perspectives for further research.