The Persian Empire

Cyrus, Darius and Xerxes; these Persian kings are sometimes stereotyped as one-dimensional despots in Greek histories; the truth about the Achaemenid Persian Empire; an empire that stretches from Egypt and Asia Minor, all the way to the Indus Valley.

Greek historians provide valuable information about the Persian Empire; the Greek perspective is often negatively biased; archaeology uncovers inscriptions, administrative tablets and other documents that let the Persians speak for themselves.

The ancient world before the Persian Empire; in the centuries leading up to the Persian Empire, the Assyrians are the major international power; the Assyrian kingdom collapses; it leaves a power vacuum in the region; the stage set for new power.

Cyrus, the first great king of the Persian Empire, expands the empire through pragmatic leadership; he uses local customs and traditions and thereby gains legitimacy over central Asia and Babylon; his son Cambyses expands the empire into Egypt.

Whether Darius, the son-in-law of Cyrus, is a legitimate king; After Cambyses dies, Darius establishes himself as an unwavering leader; Darius creates a royal genealogy and a Persian identity; he then turns to building infrastructure.

The five Persian capitals; Pasargadae, Ecbatana, Babylon, Susa and Persepolis; built in strategic, fortified locations, these cities are major symbols of power for the great kings; exploring the great hall at Persepolis, which holds 10,000 guests.