1. The Persian Empire

2. The Achaemenids 558-330 B.C.E. Indo-European in origin Founded by Cyrus in 558 Controlled Mesopotamia by 539 Empire Bordered Egypt and India Was known as the Great Because: Created world’s largest empire Ended Jewish exile in Babylon Was a just ruler Created infrastructure

3. Darius 521 – 486 B.C.E Inherited/expanded the Largest Empire in the world (to that point) Divided the empire into districts for easier administration

4. Built capital of Persepolis and Royal road

5. Xerxes 486-465 B.C.E. Less tolerant Tried to impose on conquered territory Rebellions in Mesopotamia and Egypt

6. kk

7. The Trouble with the Greeks… Cyrus conquered some Greek colonies – Ionia Ionians became unhappy with local Persian rulers, rebelled Darius invades Greece, defeated at Marathon 490 B.C.E. Xerxes invades Greece 480 B.C.E. also defeated Alexander the Great invades Persia 334 B.C.E., conquered by 330