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Persia /
Achaemenid Dynasty
Also: Ancient Egypt / Late Period / 27th Dynasty | 31st Dynasty
Old Persian: hakhamanishiya
Dynasty of Persia 550- 330 BCE, altogether about 220 years.
As rulers of Egypt 525–404 BCE and 343-332 BCE, first 121 years, second 11 years, they are counted as respectively 27th and 31st Dynasties.
The Achaemenid Dynsty is for Persia often defined as going back a further 100 years, to around 650 BCE. At first, between ca. 650 and ca. 600, the extent of the land controlled by the Achaemenids is highly uncertain. From ca. 600 until 550, the lands of Persia were divided between them in the land of Anshan and the kingdom of Persia. Whether the forefather and name-giver of the dynasty, Achaemenes of Anshan, remains an unanswered question.
At its greatest, around 480 BCE, they ruled over lands from Bulgaria to Afghanistan, from Armenia to Egypt and northern parts of Arabia.
This period was one of much cultural and ecnomical progress for Persia.
While the end of the dynasty came from the two defeats of Darius 3 by Alexander the Great, in 333 and 331, the real end is set to the death of Darius 3 the following year. Persia would be annexed into the domains of Alexanxer the Great, from which the Seleucid Dynasty would emerge some 20 years later.
History
Ca. 650 BCE: A king of Anshan, possibly named Achaemenes, takes control over large territories. He would be succceeded by Teispes.
Beginning 6th century: Two sons of Teispes become kings of each their lands, Cyrus of Anshan and Ariaramnes of Persia. They would continue the division of the land through their sons.
550: Cyrus 2 the Great, king since 559 of Anshan, inherits the land of Persia upon the death of King Arsames.
525: Egypt is conquered.
518: The construction of Persepolis is begun.
Early 5th century: Years of battles with Greece leads to the defeat of the Persians.
Middle of 5th century: Slow decline of the dynasty, much due weak leaders and decadence.
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By: Tore Kjeilen
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