History of Egypt, Chaldæa, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Volume 9 (of 12)

"History of Egypt, Chaldæa, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, Volume 9 (of 12)" by G. Maspero is a recounting of the historical relationship between the Iranian empires and the ancient civilizations of the Near East. The book examines the Median Empire and its change into Persian rule with leaders like Cyrus and Cambyses. It also considers the political and religious atmosphere during the growth of Zoroastrianism and its substantial effect on Iranian and nearby cultures. The historical work starts by looking at the Iranian conquest, pointing out that the Median Empire isn't as well-known as older empires like the Chaldæan empire. The book also emphasizes that there are only a few original sources about the Medes, so it uses later stories to assemble their history, figure out the origins of Zoroastrianism, and understand the life of Zoroaster, noting the social and religious systems of the ancient Iranian world, as well as the conflicts and political strategies that shaped the rise of Cyrus, and prepares for a detailed look at these ancient civilizations and their interactions with other cultures.