The Achaemenid Empire

ancient history · Persian Empire · huge empires

Founded by Cyrus. Cyrus the Great started the Achaemenid Empire around 550 BC and built it into something truly massive. He's remembered as one of history's greatest leaders.

Huge territory. At its peak, the empire covered about 5.5 million square kilometers, making it bigger than any other empire at that time. It stretched from Greece and North Africa all the way to India.

Three continents. The empire spread across Asia, Europe, and Africa, connecting the Iranian plateau in the middle to lands in every direction. This made it a true superpower of the ancient world.

Based in Iran. The empire's heartland was the Iranian plateau, which gave it a strong center from which to govern all its far-flung territories.

Lasted 220 years. From 550 BC to 330 BC, the Achaemenid Empire ruled the ancient world until Alexander the Great conquered it.