Final answer:
The key elements of the Persian Empire's culture were tolerance of diverse cultures, tolerance of different religions, and lenient rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The key elements of the Persian Empire's culture were:
Tolerance of diverse cultures: The Persian Empire allowed conquered people to keep their language and religion, unlike other ancient empires that imposed their own culture on the conquered.
Tolerance of different religions: The Persians followed Zoroastrianism, but they respected the beliefs of their subjects and did not force them to convert.
Lenient rule: The Persian kings believed in maintaining an image of generosity and benevolence towards their subjects, instead of using fear and terror to maintain control.