Persian Empire

Inception of Persian Empire (549 BC): Cyrus, a Persian, took over the Iranian Median Empire, revolting against his grandfather, Astyages, King of the Medes. Over the next few years, Cyrus waged battle to consolidate his rule throughout the Median Empire, establishing Persian overlordship, and ushering in the beginning of the Achaemenid Empire (Persian Empire).

Persian Empire Conquers Babylon (539 BC): Chaldean rule was unpopular among constituents in Babylonian Empire, ripening it for the Persian conquest of 539 BC. The Persians easily defeated the Babylonians in one battle to the east of Babylon, before marching into Babylon without resistance, ending the Chaldean/Babylonian Empire.

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Persian Conquest of Egypt (525 BC): Persia's insatiable appetite for expansion placed Egypt in its sights after securing rule in Mesopotamia and the Levant (Israel/Judah, Syria). In 525 BC, the Persians easily defeated the Egyptians, bringing Egypt under Achaemenid rule.

Brief Babylon Independence (522-20 BC): Babylon revolted against Persian rule, briefly gaining independence before being crushed once again by the Persians, and reinstated to Achaemenid rule.

Greco-Persian Wars (500 - 448 BC): A unified Persian Empire took advantage of divisions among Greek city-states. During the early years of war, Persia conquered all of the Greek city-states in Anatolia (modern Turkey), and many throughout the East Balkans (SE Europe). This compelled the Greek city-states to unite against the Persians, enabling the Greeks to push the Persians out of Europe, and the western coast of Anatolia.

Achaemenid Capital Moved to Babylon (450 BC): Babylon was appointed new capital of Persian Empire. Aramaic was designated official language around this time as well (already most prevalent in Mesopotamia and Near East).

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Note: Treatment of Conquered Nations. The Persians were largely humanistic, and more humane in their governance of conquered peoples than they experienced under previous regimes. The Persian religion of Zoroastrianism forbade slavery, so it was generally not practiced or permitted. The Persians allowed exiles from Babylonian rule to return to their homelands (such as the Jews under Darius I), and conquered nations were allowed a generous amount of autonomy.

Note: Royal Road. Built by Darius I to enable timely communication, troop movement and commerce throughout the empire, facilitating centralized rule. A carrier on horse could travel the length of the road in 7 days.

Further Understanding: Zoroastrianism - State Religion

The Persian religion became the official state religion during the 5th century BC. Although all subjects were permitted freedom of religion, all constituents throughout the entire Achaemenid Empire were required to pay a 10% temple tax to support the practice of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrianism is based on worship of a universal, uncreated God ("Ahura Mazda"). Values are similar to those of Judeo-Christianity, except Zoroastriansim strictly and explicitly forbade slavery. Zoroastrianism, an ancient monotheistic religion like Judaism, also posits a judgment, resurrection and after-life scenario very similar to that of Christianity. However, Zoroastrians do not believe in proselytizing, which severely hampered is growth since ancient times, especially in comparison with those that have always sought to convert non-believers/members, such as Christianity and Islam.

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Beginning of Wars of Alexander the Great (334 BC): After Alexander of Macedon had conquered fellow Greek city-states, consolidating rule in the Greek world, he aimed his battle-tested troops eastward, into Asia. In the Battle of Garnicus in NW Anatolia (modern Turkey), Alexander and his forces freed the Greek city-states in western Anatolia that had been under Persian rule for two centuries.

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Battle of Issus (332 BC): Occurred in the mountainous terrain surrounding the Gulf of Issus. Persian Emperor Darius III personally commanded his troops in the battle against Alexander, with an army that more than doubled the size of the Greeks. The mountainous landscape nullified the numbers advantage, enabling the Greeks to hand the Persians a decisive defeat. Darius III was forced to flee before Alexander and his guards.

Alexander Captures Egypt (332 BC): After crushing the Persians at Issus, the path to Egypt was unblocked, enabling the Greeks to take control of Egypt without a fight. They were welcomed by the Egyptians as liberators.

Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC): After capturing Egypt, Alexander and is army marched east to Mesopotamia, as part of his design to conquer the entire Persian Empire. Darius III was careful to meet Alexander in a large, open space, in order to use his massive army size to his advantage. The drastically outnumbered Greeks still inflicted a devastating victory upon the Persians. Darius escaped to one of his governors (Bessus), who murdered Darius, proclaiming himself emperor. The death of Darius III is commonly considered the end of the Persian/Achaemenid Empire.

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Susa is Captured by the Greeks Without Resistance (331 BC).

Persepolis is Captured by the Greeks Without Resistance (331 BC).

Final Pocket of Resistance Put Down by Alexander (330 BC): Bessus, who murdered Darius, attempted to organize an army from his base in Ecbatana, to defeat and expel the Greeks. As Alexander and his army approached, Bessus was arrested by his own people, and delivered to Alexander in order to save the city from destruction. Bessus was promptly executed. This marked the absolute end of the Persian Empire, and the beginning of Greek rule in Mesopotamia and all of Western Asia.

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Next: Greek & Roman Rule (330 BC - 363 AD)

Previous: Babylonian Empire (605 - 539 BC)

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