Persian Empires: Achaemenid
The Achaemenid Persian empire was the largest empire of the ancient world, which lasted from 550-330BCE. The empire was formed by Cyrus the Great, who reigned 559– 529BCE. It extended from Anatolia and Egypt, across western Asia to northern India and Central Asia. The most powerful rulers in the empire during this time were Cyrus, who established the empire, Darius I, who secured the borders of the empire and was an excellent administrator, also during his time as ruler the empire expanded west. Xerxes I also helped the empire to expand during his rule, and completed many buildings started by Darius I. The empire died off after the death of Darius III, when Alexander the Great defeated him.
The empire was divided into separate provinces, each governed by a satrap (a Persian provisional governor.) The satrap was chosen by the king and was often nobility. Royal inscriptions were typically written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian.
In 334BCE Alexander the Great invaded the empire. Darius III lost three battles to Alexander, and was defeated in 331BCE. Darius III was later murdered. This was the end of the Achaemenid Empire. The Achaemenid Empire began with conquest and ended with defeat, but is remembered as an extremely powerful empire that swept through the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
The empire was divided into separate provinces, each governed by a satrap (a Persian provisional governor.) The satrap was chosen by the king and was often nobility. Royal inscriptions were typically written in Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian.
In 334BCE Alexander the Great invaded the empire. Darius III lost three battles to Alexander, and was defeated in 331BCE. Darius III was later murdered. This was the end of the Achaemenid Empire. The Achaemenid Empire began with conquest and ended with defeat, but is remembered as an extremely powerful empire that swept through the continents of Asia, Africa, and Europe.
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/acha/hd_acha.htm
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Persian_Empire.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3415/Achaemenian-Dynasty
Celina Grisolia
http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Persian_Empire.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/3415/Achaemenian-Dynasty
Celina Grisolia