Achaemenid Empire: Persian Empire is now under the rule of Cyrus the Great.
Cyrus the Great becomes king, after overthrowing Medes in 550 BC. Click to enlarge.
522 BC
Darius I becomes king of the Persian Empire and creates satrapies, small Persian governments.
Darius I becomes the king of the Persian Empire in 522 BC. Click to enlarge.
500 BC-449 BC
Persian Wars between the Persian Empire and Greek city-states.
Greco-Persian Wars rage for 11 years throughout 500 BC-449 BC. Click to enlarge.
331 BC
Alexander the Great defeats the Persian Empire's large army, bringing an end to the Achaemenid Empire at the Battle of Guagamala.
Alexander the Great's troops defeating the Ten Thousand Immortals, the army of the Persian Empire. Click to enlarge.
250 BC
The Parni found the Parthian Empire with capital in Ctesiphon and Arsaces as ruler.
Parthian Empire, founded by the Parni. Arsaces is the first ruler. Click to enlarge.
185 BC
Parthians under Priapatius expand into the Seleucid region of eastern Iran.
Seleucid Empire Map as of 185 BC. Click to enlarge.
224
Ardashir, descendent of the priest Sassan, seizes the throne of Persia/Partha and becomes the first Sassanid king with capital in Istakhr (near Persepolis) and Zoroastrianism as their religion.
The Sassanid Empire rises after the Parthian Empire throne is seized. Click to enlarge.
225
Ardashir I of the Sassanid Empire defeated the last Parthian king, Artabanus V.
The last Parthian king is defeated. Click to enlarge.
250
Shapur I establishes the library of Jondi Shahpur, one of the largest in the world.
Shapur and the ruins of the largest library in the world. Click to enlarge.
650
The Arabs conquer Persia. (Physically)
Arabs conquer Persia. The troops waiting behind the Zagros Mountain Range.