550–330/29 BC
The Achaemenid Empire (شاهنشاهی هخامنشی) was a state established by the Persians, who succeeded the Medes. The Achaemenid Empire, one of the most extensive territorial entities in human history, can rightfully be called an empire in which the Persians held ruling positions.
At its height, the Achaemenid state included part of the African continent — specifically Egypt and the lands of present‑day Ethiopia.
Achaemenid rulers mostly pursued an effective conquest policy, combining it with active internal reforms. This dual foreign and domestic policy course began with the semi‑legendary founder of the dynasty, Achaemenes (or Achaemanes/Akhamanish — هخامنش). It was continued under Cyrus, then Darius I, and his descendants. The last ruler of the Achaemenid dynasty was Darius III.
Darius III’s reign came to an end with Alexander the Great’s victorious eastern campaign in the 330s BC.
Persepolis, Pasargadae, Babylon, Memphis, Miletus, and other cities served as centers of various parts of the Persian state.
The empire used Old Persian, Greek, and likely Median, Elamite, and Akkadian languages.
After being conquered by Alexander, the lands of the Persian Empire were soon united and expanded under the new ruler’s control.
Among the most notable written monuments of this period is the Behistun Inscription, carved in Old Persian, Elamite, and Akkadian at the order of Darius I. The cliff with the inscription can still be seen slightly south of the ruins of Ecbatana, located between modern Kermanshah and Hamadan in Iran.
