Approximately when the empire of Persia was the world power in the Ancient Near East. (23 lugl 522 anni a. C. – 26 apr 486 anni a. C.)

Descrizione:

The Achaemenid Empire, also referred to as the First Persian Empire, emerged in the 6th century BCE under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, extending its dominion across Western and Central Asia. Named after Achaemenes, who governed Persis—a region bordered by the Tigris River to the west and the Persian Gulf to the south—from 705 to 675 BCE, this empire marked the advent of a centralized nation-state and eventually evolved into the first global empire, encompassing significant territories across the ancient world.

In the 7th century BCE, the Medes, an ancient Iranian people, established the Median Empire, initially as a vassal state under the Assyrian Empire. Seeking independence in the 8th century BCE, the Medes, led by King Cyaxares, expanded westward across Iran following Assyria's fall in 605 BCE. Around 550 BCE, Cyrus II of Persia, later known as Cyrus the Great, rebelled against the Median Empire, ultimately conquering them and establishing the Achaemenid Empire.

Under a succession of monarchs, the empire united disparate tribes through a network of roads and centralized administration, with Pasargadae as its focal point. After Cyrus's demise in 530 BCE, his son Cambyses II expanded the empire's reach by conquering Egypt, Nubia, and Cyrenaica in 525 BCE. However, a revolt led to Cambyses's death in 522 BCE, briefly disrupting the empire's stability. Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, seized power in 522 BCE, consolidating control over the empire and instituting reforms.

Under Darius's leadership, the empire flourished, expanding its influence to encompass territories formerly held by the Assyrian Empire, including Mesopotamia, the Levant, Egypt, Anatolia, and parts of Greece and Thrace. At its zenith, the Achaemenid Empire spanned from the Indus Valley to Thrace, governing approximately 44% of the world's population.

Darius implemented significant administrative reforms, adjusting satrapy boundaries and introducing a system of judges with fixed circuits to enhance governance. He also invested in infrastructure projects, including the construction of a canal between the Nile River and the Red Sea, improvements to the network of roads, and the establishment of an advanced postal system, facilitating efficient communication and trade across the empire. Furthermore, Darius standardised fiscal policies, including coinage and measurements, ensuring greater uniformity and efficiency in economic transactions.

The Achaemenid Empire left a lasting legacy in governance, commerce, and religion. Cyrus the Great's humanitarian policies and religious tolerance, exemplified by artifacts like the Cyrus Cylinder, continue to be used. Darius I's administrative reforms and construction projects, such as the Behistun Inscription, further underscore the empire's enduring impact on ancient history. Zoroastrianism, the empire's predominant religion, influenced subsequent civilizations in the region, shaping cultural and religious practices for centuries to come.

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