Final answer:
The Persians' diet mainly included grains and fruits, with occasional meat, and their society had various occupations supported by a network of roads. Cultural tolerance was key, allowing retention of local languages and practices, showcased in Persepolis. Zoroastrianism was the main religion, the military was diverse, and art and architecture highlighted royal authority.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Persian Way of Life
The Persian Empire is known for its complex societal structures and diversity, with little known about the daily lives of commoners. Ordinary Persians typically consumed a diet of bread or barley mash, figs, dates, and a variety of fruits and nuts. Meat such as goat, mutton, or poultry were less common in their meals. Occupations were varied and included sentinels, messengers, architects, and merchants who benefited from an extensive network of roads facilitating trade.
The cultural practices within the empire were influenced by a policy of tolerance, allowing conquered peoples to retain their languages and administrative systems. In the monumental city of Persepolis, reliefs depict the diversity of peoples that made up the empire. Zoroastrianism was the predominant religion among the Persians, featuring a pantheon of gods and various sacrificial rituals.
The Persian military was vast and diverse, drawing from the multitude of subject peoples who donned their cultural attires. Units, such as the elite Immortals, displayed the military prowess of the Persians. Despite the military emphasis, the Persian kings demonstrated benevolence and generosity towards their subjects, allowing them religious freedoms and cultural autonomy in exchange for loyalty.
Art and architecture played a significant role in reinforcing the power of Persian kings, who utilized these mediums to craft messages of their dominance. Local artistic traditions celebrated heroes and kings, as seen in depictions of figures like Bahram Gur. Through this rich confluence of culture, administration, religion, and military might, the Persian Empire manifested a powerful yet accommodating presence in ancient history.