Final answer:
The Persians built the Royal Road, an efficient communication network with mounted royal messengers for rapid message delivery across the empire, crucial for maintaining administrative control and fostering long-distance trade.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Persians built an extensive and efficient network of roads, called the Royal Road, to foster communication and administration across their vast empire. This network allowed for rapid communication thanks to the implementation of a system of mounted royal messengers who could cover around two hundred miles in a single day by changing horses at different stations along the road. Besides promoting administrative and military efficiency, these roads were also crucial for long-distance trade and cultural exchange, reflecting the empire's advanced approach to governance and infrastructure.
Indeed, the functionality of the empire could have been significantly diminished without such a courier system. Messages would take much longer to travel, which could result in delayed decisions and reduced central control over distant provinces. The impressive communication infrastructure of the Persian Empire was not only a practical tool for administrative control but also a symbol of the power and reach of the Persian kings.