Assyrian, Babylonian and Persian Empries
...o lead the Jews into captivity. Their strengths and contributions included architecture, art, excelling in astronomy and mathematics. The Babylonian astronomers developed the Zodiac signs and begin the practice of horoscopes. In mathematics, they developed the system of using 60 in the numerical system which is the basis of our keeping time today. The Persians created an empire larger than the Assyrians and eventually overtook the Babylonians. They implemented the use of coins as the primary source of payment. The Persians, a man named Zoroaster, also started a new movement in religious beliefs that many other beliefs have been based on. This religion believed that their god would conquer evil and that there was a paradise and hell. II. Which Empire Is The Greatest of the Three While all three empires contributed so much to our world history, I believe that the greatest of the three was the Persian empire. During the Persian empire, they amassed lands that were greater than those of the Assyrian empire. In addition, they overtook the Babylonians. The reign of Cyrus abolished the “rule of terror” that had been so prevalent up until that time. In addition, he released the Jews and allowed them to return to rebuild their temple. Under Cyrus’s reign, power was distributed equally among the officials and the people actually experienced some peace. In addition, the Persian empire used the Aramaic language as the common language, further developed astrology and the study of the heavens and adopte...