achéménides

The Achaemenid Empire, often referred to as the First Persian Empire, was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE. It was the largest empire the world had yet seen, stretching from the Balkans to the Indus Valley. The empire was known for its sophisticated administration, extensive road network, and policy of religious and cultural tolerance. Cyrus's conquest of the Babylonian Empire in 539 BCE is a notable event, allowing for the return of the Jewish exiles to Jerusalem.

The empire was divided into satrapies, administrative provinces, each governed by a satrap who reported to the Great King. This decentralized structure allowed for efficient governance over a vast territory. Key figures in Achaemenid history include Cambyses II, who expanded the empire into Egypt, and Darius the Great, who further consolidated and organized the empire, famously undertaking extensive building projects such as the royal palace at Persepolis.

Achaemenid culture was a synthesis of various influences from across the empire, evident in their art and architecture. The empire's decline began in the late 4th century BCE, culminating in its conquest by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE. Despite its eventual fall, the Achaemenid Empire left a lasting legacy on subsequent empires in the region and the development of Western and Middle Eastern civilizations.