Achaemenid Empire

The Achaemenid Empire was the first Persian empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, which became the largest the ancient world had seen and pioneered tolerant imperial rule.

Key Takeaways

• The Achaemenid Empire was the first and largest Persian empire of antiquity.
• Cyrus the Great founded it and was famed for tolerance.
• It governed through provincial satrapies linked by a royal road.
• It fell to Alexander the Great in 330 BC.

From its heartland in Persia, the Achaemenid Empire united an unprecedented expanse of the ancient world under a system of provinces, roads and religious tolerance, until its conquest by Alexander the Great.

The Achaemenid Empire was the first great Persian empire and, in its day, the largest the world had ever seen. Founded by Cyrus the Great, it stretched at its height from the Aegean and Egypt to the edge of India.

The Achaemenids ruled through provincial satrapies and a famous royal road, and were remembered — unusually for conquerors — for tolerance toward the religions and customs of their many peoples. The empire dominated the Near East for two centuries before falling to Alexander the Great.

Key Achievements

• United the largest empire of the ancient world to that point.
• Pioneered tolerant administration and the royal road system.

Notable Figures of Achaemenid Empire

Cyrus the Great

90

Ruler · 600 BC – 530 BC

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest empire the ancient world had yet seen, remembered for his military genius and his tolerance toward conquered peoples.

• Founding the Persian Empire
• The Cyrus Cylinder

Cyrus the Great

90

Ruler · 600 BC – 530 BC

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, the largest empire the ancient world had yet seen, remembered for his military genius and his tolerance toward conquered peoples.

• Founding the Persian Empire
• The Cyrus Cylinder

Frequently Asked Questions

How large was the Achaemenid Empire?

At its height it stretched from the Balkans and Egypt to the Indus Valley, making it the largest empire the ancient world had yet seen.