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The Persian Empire was founded in 559 BCE by Cyrus the Great. His leadership was marked by respect for local customs and religions, which earned him loyalty across his vast territories. This foundation set the stage for centuries of Persian dominance. -
Cyrus the Great conquered Babylon, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire, and declared himself "King of Babylon." His victory was achieved without widespread destruction. Jewish exiles were released to return to Jerusalem. -
Cyrus died in battle against the Massagetae in Central Asia, leaving behind a vast and organized empire. His son, Cambyses II, ascended the throne and immediately sought to expand Persia. This transition marked the first change in leadership for the Persian empire. -
Cambyses II defeated Pharaoh Psamtik III at the Battle of Pelusium, bringing Egypt under Persian control. He styled himself as Pharaoh and adopted Egyptian customs. This conquest extended Persian influence into North Africa. -
Darius I seized the throne after a period of revolts and instability. He reorganized the empire into satrapies, which are provinces. He also standardized coinage and improved communication with the creation of the Royal Road. -
Darius I commissioned the creation of the Royal Road. The Royal Road is a 1,500-mile network stretching from Susa to Sardis. It allowed for more efficient communication, trade, and troop movement across the vast Persian Empire. -
Darius I started an invasion of Greece, but his forces were defeated by the Athenians at Marathon despite having larger numbers. The victory boosted Greek morale and proved their ability to resist Persian aggression. The modern "marathon" race is named after the famous run of Pheidippides. -
Darius I died while preparing for another campaign against Greece, and his son Xerxes I ascended the throne. Xerxes inherited the vast empire and continued his father’s mission to conquer Greece. His reign would include some of the most famous battles of the wars fought between Persia and Greece. -
Xerxes I led a massive Persian invasion of Greece and faced Spartan King Leonidas at Thermopylae. The Greek forces were greatly outnumbers, but they fought valiantly to delay the Persian advance. The battle was a Persian victory, but it inspired Greek resistance and unity. -
Themistocles of Athens brought about a Greek naval victory against the Persians at Salamis. The Greeks lured the larger Persian fleet into narrow waters to defeat them. This battle shifted the Persian Wars and forced Xerxes to retreat. -
A coalition of Greek forces, led by Sparta and Athens, defeated the Persians at Plataea. This marked the end of the Greco-Persian Wars. This victory ensured Greek independence and began the decline of Persian influence in the region. -
Following victories over Persia, Athens entered its Golden Age. It can be described by its advancements in art, philosophy, and democracy. A significant amount of Western cultural heritage is defined by this period. -
Xerxes I was assassinated by his court official Artabanus in a plot that disrupted the royal succession. The chaos following his death showed the growing instability within the Persian court. Xerxes’ son, Artaxerxes I, eventually took the throne. -
Athens and Sparta each bring concerned with power and influence caused the Peloponnesian War. The war would engulf much of Greece for a significant time. It also was the beginning of the decline of the Greek city-states. -
Sparta, alongside Persian support, defeated Athens, which ended the Peloponnesian War. Athens’ surrender marked the loss of its empire and the conclusion of Greece's Golden Age. The war left Greece weakened and vulnerable to external powers like Macedonia. -
Philip II became king of Macedon and made it a powerful, centralized state. He reformed the army and expanded his influence over Greece. Philip’s reign set the stage for his son Alexander's conquests. -
Philip II defeated a group of Greek city-states, including Athens and Thebes, at the Battle of Chaeronea. This victory showed Macedonian dominance over Greece. Philip then formed the League of Corinth to unify Greece under his leadership. -
At a royal ceremony, Philip II was assassinated, and his son Alexander ascended to the throne at 20 years old. Alexander quickly consolidated power and went after Persia. His leadership was the beginning of a very successful military campaign. -
Alexander crossed the Hellespont into Asia Minor and defeated Persian forces at the Battle of Granicus. His campaign sought to avenge Greek losses during the Persian Wars and make his father's goal of conquering the Persian Empire come true. This invasion showed the downfall of the Achaemenid dynasty. -
Alexander the Great died in Babylon with no exact cause known. This left no clear heir to his empire. His generals divided the empire into Hellenistic kingdoms afterwards.