Persian Empire

Persian Empire refers to any of a series of imperial dynasties centered in Persia (now Iran). The first of these was the Achaemenid Empire established by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC, with the Persian conquest of Media, Lydia and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Several later and smaller dynasties claimed to be heirs of the Achaemenids, including the Parthian Empire and the Sassanid Empire.

Achaemenid Empire[edit | edit source]

The Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC) was the first Persian Empire and it is also considered the world's first true superpower state. It was founded by Cyrus the Great. At its greatest extent, it included parts of modern-day Iran, Egypt, Turkey, and parts of Afghanistan and Pakistan.

Parthian Empire[edit | edit source]

The Parthian Empire (247 BC – 224 AD), also known as the Arsacid Empire, was a major Iranian political and cultural power in ancient Iran. Its latter name comes from its founder, Arsaces I, who led the Parni tribe in conquering the region of Parthia in Iran's northeast, then a satrapy (province) under Andragoras, in rebellion against the Seleucid Empire.

Sassanid Empire[edit | edit source]

The Sassanid Empire (224–651 AD), also known as the Sasanian Empire, which succeeded the Parthian Empire, was recognized as one of the leading world powers alongside its neighboring arch-rival the Roman-Byzantine Empire, for a period of more than 400 years.