Cyrus the Great

ancient Persia · empire builder · world history

Founder of Persia. Cyrus the Great created the Achaemenid Empire around 2,500 years ago by defeating the Median Empire and bringing together all the kingdoms and cities of the ancient Near East under one rule.

Massive empire. His empire stretched across West Asia and Central Asia, covering huge parts of what is now Iran, Iraq, Turkey, and beyond. It became the largest empire the world had ever seen at that time.

Smart leader. Cyrus was known for being a wise ruler who respected the people he conquered and let them keep their own customs and religions instead of forcing them to change.

Powerful army. Cyrus built a strong military that helped him defeat powerful enemies and control his enormous empire across many different lands and cultures.