Which statement best describes how rulers such as Cyrus the Great and Darius were able to rule the diverse and expansive Persian (Achaemenid) Empire of the 500s and 400s BCE?

A. Persia permitted Christian groups to worship freely.
B. Persian military forces drafted all men under 30 into service.
C. Persia allowed conquered areas to rule themselves on local matters.
D. Persian armies crushed all possible resistance to prevent future rebellions.

The statement that BEST describes how rulers such as Cyrus the Great and Darius were able to rule the diverse and expansive Persian (Achaemenid) Empire of the 500s and 400s BCE is:

C. Persia allowed conquered areas to rule themselves on local matters.

This policy, known as tolerance and accommodation, allowed the Persians to maintain control over their vast empire while respecting the cultural and religious diversity of their subjects. By allowing local populations to maintain their customs and traditions, the Persians were able to minimize resistance and foster loyalty.

While the Persians did have a powerful military, they relied more on diplomacy and tolerance than on brute force to maintain their empire. Drafting all men into service and crushing all resistance would have been both impractical and counterproductive in such a large and diverse empire.