Social connections
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The social structure within the Persian empire was was fairly common among empires during its era. The Persian empire was built off of communication and transportation. With well established social rankings, once you were born into a class, it was very challenging to move out. The social structure, from highest class to lowest: kings and royal family, priests, aristocracy, military people, traders, craftsmen, farmers/peasants, and slaves. Slaves were present in society and were often captured from other conquered civilizations that refused to behave.
Persia was a patriarchal society, as men were imperial bureaucrats and clan warriors, both titles exemplifying leadership. Women were not involved in the government, however they could be prominent residents as priestesses. Commonly, women would be employed by temple and imperial workshops in the textile business, as payment they would receive: grain, wine, beer, and meat. Though women could be employed, they were known for spending most of their time in the household, tending to the family. Women generally gave in to their husbands in public settings, but may have had considerable decision-making power in private.
In the Persian empire, the family and kinship unit is known as the nuclear family. Families combined into larger units made up of a man, his wife or wives, and their married sons and their families. Within the family, the father is usually very distant and a disciplinarian, whereas the mother is open-minded and affectionate, often acting as an mediator between the children and their father. Men were the guardians and defenders of the family honor; they were responsible for protecting the chastity of their daughters and sisters. When it came to marriage in the Persian empire, they had to be arranged only after negotiation and approval by both sets of kin. Husband and wife usually had similar educational and economic backgrounds, like stated above, it was very difficult to move out of your social class, so it was uncommon to marry up or down. Endogamy, (the custom of marrying only within the limits of a local, community, clan, or tribe) is the traditional practice, as there was even a preference of marrying cousins.
Persia was a patriarchal society, as men were imperial bureaucrats and clan warriors, both titles exemplifying leadership. Women were not involved in the government, however they could be prominent residents as priestesses. Commonly, women would be employed by temple and imperial workshops in the textile business, as payment they would receive: grain, wine, beer, and meat. Though women could be employed, they were known for spending most of their time in the household, tending to the family. Women generally gave in to their husbands in public settings, but may have had considerable decision-making power in private.
In the Persian empire, the family and kinship unit is known as the nuclear family. Families combined into larger units made up of a man, his wife or wives, and their married sons and their families. Within the family, the father is usually very distant and a disciplinarian, whereas the mother is open-minded and affectionate, often acting as an mediator between the children and their father. Men were the guardians and defenders of the family honor; they were responsible for protecting the chastity of their daughters and sisters. When it came to marriage in the Persian empire, they had to be arranged only after negotiation and approval by both sets of kin. Husband and wife usually had similar educational and economic backgrounds, like stated above, it was very difficult to move out of your social class, so it was uncommon to marry up or down. Endogamy, (the custom of marrying only within the limits of a local, community, clan, or tribe) is the traditional practice, as there was even a preference of marrying cousins.