Birth of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great was born in 600 BC in Anshan, Persia, into the Achaemenid dynasty. His early life was marked by the influence of his grandfather, who was a prominent ruler in the region.
600 BC
559 BC
Ascension to the Throne
Cyrus the Great ascended to the throne of Anshan in 559 BC after the death of his father, Cambyses I, marking the beginning of his rule and future conquests.
550 BC
Conquest of Media
In 550 BC, Cyrus the Great successfully overthrew the Median Empire, uniting the Persian tribes and establishing himself as the ruler of a larger territory, which set the stage for further expansion.
539 BC
Fall of Babylon
Cyrus the Great captured Babylon in 539 BC, marking a pivotal moment in his reign. This conquest was achieved with minimal bloodshed, and he was welcomed as a liberator by the Babylonian people.
538 BC
Issuance of the Edict of Cyrus
Following the conquest of Babylon, Cyrus the Great issued the Edict of Cyrus, allowing exiled peoples, including the Jews, to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples, showcasing his policy of tolerance and respect for local customs.
530 BC
Death of Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great died in 530 BC during a military campaign against the Massagetae. His death marked the end of an era, but his legacy continued through his successors and the vast empire he established.
529 BC
Succession by Cambyses II
After the death of Cyrus the Great, his son Cambyses II succeeded him and continued to expand the empire, notably conquering Egypt, furthering the Achaemenid legacy.
530-522 BC
Expansion of the Achaemenid Empire
Under the rule of Cambyses II and later Darius I, the empire established by Cyrus the Great expanded to include territories from the Indus Valley to the Aegean Sea, becoming one of the largest empires in history.
525 BC
Conquest of Egypt
Cambyses II, the son of Cyrus the Great, conquered Egypt in 525 BC, further solidifying the power and influence of the Achaemenid Empire established by Cyrus.
522 BC
Darius I Takes the Throne
Darius I, a distant relative of Cyrus the Great, ascended to the throne in 522 BC and implemented administrative reforms that enhanced the governance of the vast empire left by Cyrus.
518 BC
Construction of the Royal Road
Darius I initiated the construction of the Royal Road, which improved communication and trade across the empire, a legacy of the efficient administration initiated by Cyrus the Great.
490 BC
Battle of Marathon and Persian Expansion Challenges
The Persian Empire, established by Cyrus the Great, faced significant challenges during the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC, marking the beginning of resistance against Persian expansion in Greece.
450 BC
The Legacy of Cyrus the Great in Governance
Cyrus the Great's policies of tolerance and respect for local customs continued to influence the governance of the Achaemenid Empire, setting a precedent for future empires in the region.
330 BC
Fall of the Achaemenid Empire
The Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, eventually fell to Alexander the Great in 330 BC, but Cyrus's legacy of governance and cultural tolerance persisted long after his death.
