EFFECTS OF DARIUS' REFORMS ON BABYLON'S ECONOMY DURING THE ACHAEMENID ERA

Abstract

During two centuries of Persian reign over Mesopotamia, significant transformations have occurred in Babylon's economic and bureaucratic systems and many institutions have been dominated by Iranians. Besides, fundamental changes have occurred in the taxation system, especially after reforms made by Darius I. Darius played a significant role in transforming Babylon's economic situation by imposing his financial policies. Some of these policies played a significant role in improving Babylon's economic and business situation and some of them resulted in increased pressure on Babylon's lower classes which facilitated consecutive uproars in this region. Accordingly, the present study is an attempt to study Babylon's economic situation during Achaemenid reign and the researcher attempted to base his study on available documents and resources to clarify the effects of Darius I financial policies and reforms on Babylon's economic situation.