The Achaemenid Empire was an ancient Persian empire that existed from the 6th to the 4th century BCE. Founded by Cyrus the Great, it became one of the largest empires in history, stretching from the Indus River in the east to the Aegean Sea in the west. The empire was known for its impressive administrative system and respect for the cultures of the lands it conquered, allowing a degree of local autonomy.
Under rulers like Darius I and Xerxes I, the Achaemenid Empire flourished, building monumental structures such as the Persepolis palace complex. The empire also established the Royal Road, which facilitated trade and communication across vast distances. Its fall came after conflicts with the
