Timeline: Persian Empire

2330 BCE

The world's first empire, the Akkadian empire.

Sargo I of the Akkadians conquers most of the Sumerian city-states and creates the world's first empire, the Akkadian empire.

Period: 2330 BCE to 333 BCE

Conquest of Mesopotamia

Throughout centuries Mesopotamia witnessed thousands of changes. Foreign empires and local city-states decided to conquer the whole territory. Mesopotamia was the promised land every emperor wanted to possess.
Since the settlement of the first empire in charge of Sargon 1, when the Akkadians conquered most of the Sumerian city-states, several empires rose and fell.
Remarkable emperors and sophisticated societies made Mesopotamia a famous landmark thanks to its location, wealth, and culture.

1900 BCE

The Assyrians rise to power in northern Mesopotamia.

The Assyrians first rose to power when the Akkadian Empire fell. The Babylonians had control of southern Mesopotamia and the Assyrians had the north. However, after Shamshi-Adad's death in 1781 BC, the Assyrians grew weak and soon fell under the control of the Babylonian Empire. Read more at: https://www.ducksters.com/history/mesopotamia/assyrian_empire.php
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1792 BCE

Hammurabi becomes King of Babylon.

The city of Babylon had been a city-state in Mesopotamia for many years. Hammurabi conquered all of Mesopotamia including much of the Assyrian lands to the north.
Babylon became the most powerful city in the world. Located on the banks of the Euphrates River, was a major trade hub bringing together new ideas and products.
The city was also the cultural center of the empire. It was here that art, science, music, mathematics, astronomy, and literature were able to flourish.

1750 BCE

Hammurabi dies.

Hammurabi dies and the First Babylonian Empire begins to fall apart.

709 BCE

Sargon II takes control of Babylon.

The powerful Assyrian king, Sargon II conquers Babylon.

604 BCE

Nebuchadnezzer II becomes king of Babylon.

Nebuchadnezzar II becomes King of Babylon. He will rule for 43 years and bring the Babylonian Empire to its peak.
Nebuchadnezzar is identified in the Bible as the king responsible for destroying Solomon's Temple and initiating the Babylonian captivity and is a significant character in the Book of Daniel.

539 BCE

Cyrus, the great

Cyrus, the Great, rises to power and the Persian Empire begins.
Cyrus takes the city of Babylon and lets the Jewish people return to Israel.

522 BCE

Darius I becomes King of Persia.

Darius I expands the empire and divides it up into states each ruled by a governor called a satrap. He establishes the capital of the Persian Empire at Persepolis.

490 BCE