Achaemenid Persian Empire

The Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE), founded by Cyrus the Great, was the largest empire the ancient world had seen, stretching from the Aegean to the Indus. Darius I built the Royal Road and the Persepolis ceremonial capital. The empire's failed invasions of Greece (Marathon, 490; Thermopylae/Salamis, 480) and the eventual conquest by Alexander the Great (334-330 BCE) ended its rule.

• Existed: 550 BCE – 330 BCE
• Type: Entity
• Government: Absolute Monarchy: Great King governs 20 satrapies through appointed satraps with local tributary autonomy
• Capital: Persepolis (ceremonial) / Susa (administrative)