Final answer:
Cyrus II of Persia maintained stability in his empire by allowing conquered peoples to keep their own customs, appointing local leaders as governors, and implementing policies that engendered loyalty. Effective communication and modest taxation were among the key aspects of his governance that upheld the empire's stability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Persian king Cyrus II kept his empire stable by letting people in captured lands keep their own customs. This approach was innovative compared to previous rulers like the Assyrians and Neo-Babylonians, who imposed stricter control. Cyrus's policy of leniency included letting subjects practice their own religions, use their own languages, and maintain their own cultural practices. For instance, he allowed the exiled Jews to return to Judah from Babylon. His respectful treatment of conquered peoples resulted in relatively loyal subjects and minimized uprisings.
Furthermore, Cyrus appointed local leaders as governors who could manage territories while ensuring loyalty to the Persian Empire. The approach of incorporating local customs and traditions was so effective that it was later emulated by Alexander the Great after he conquered the Persian Empire. Under Cyrus's rule, the empire expanded significantly, including taking over the Neo-Babylonian Empire territories.
Cyrus's successors continued his policies and also implemented logistical improvements such as the Royal Road, which expedited communication across the vast empire. The Persian government, under Darius I, standardized laws, issued coinage, and used multiple languages for administration purposes. Modest taxation and selective mobilization of troops also contributed to the stability of the empire.