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![Ancient Persian Culture](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/83.jpg?v=1711896123)
Definition
Ancient Persian Culture
Ancient Persian culture flourished between the reign of Cyrus II (The Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE), founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, and the fall of the Sassanian Empire in 651 CE. Even so, the foundations of Persian culture were already...
![The Achaemenid Persian Empire c. 500 BCE](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/16107.png?v=1711511463)
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The Achaemenid Persian Empire c. 500 BCE
A map illustrating the rise and evolution of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (from the name of Achaemenes, an ancestor of the empire's founder, Cyrus the Great) from its origins in around 550 BCE when Cyrus II of Persia conquered the Medes...
![Cyrus the Great](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/8168.jpg?v=1702743483)
Definition
Cyrus the Great
Cyrus II (d. 530 BCE), also known as Cyrus the Great, was the fourth king of Anshan and the first king of the Achaemenid Empire. Cyrus led several military campaigns against the most powerful kingdoms of the time, including Media, Lydia...
![Ancient Persian Religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/7985.jpg?v=1695704046)
Definition
Ancient Persian Religion
Ancient Persian religion was a polytheistic faith which corresponds roughly to what is known today as ancient Persian mythology. It first developed in the region known as Greater Iran (the Caucasus, Central Asia, South Asia, and West Asia...
![Achaemenid Royal Tombs](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/11957.jpg?v=1700100363)
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Achaemenid Royal Tombs
Tombs of the Achaemenid kings of Darius I, Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I at Naqsh-e Rostam.
![Ahura Mazda](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/3049.jpg?v=1720451463)
Definition
Ahura Mazda
Ahura Mazda (also known as Ahuramazda, Harzoo, Hormazd, Hourmazd, Hurmuz, Ohrmazd, 'Lord' or 'Spirit') is the highest spirit worshipped in Zoroastrianism, the old Mede and ancient Persian mythology which spread across Asia predating Christianity...
![Achaemenid Woman](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/11807.jpg?v=1697308029)
Image
Achaemenid Woman
Gold fitting depicting a woman wearing a Persian robe and diadem.
6th-4th century BCE, Iran.
![Cyrus the Great's Conquests](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/12931.png?v=1702743490)
Article
Cyrus the Great's Conquests
The estimated expanse of the Achaemenid Empire at its height c. 500 BCE was two million square miles. Most of this territory was conquered by Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Empire, who reigned from 559 to 530 BCE, the fourth king in...
![The Persian Wars: Ancient Greece vs. the Achaemenid Persian Empire](/uploads/kraked/6/6-2464_ci_preview.jpg)
Video
The Persian Wars: Ancient Greece vs. the Achaemenid Persian Empire
The Persian Wars, also known as the Greco Persian Wars, were a series of battles fought between Ancient Greece and the Achaemenid Persian Empire in the 5th century BCE. The most famous of these battles are the Battle of Marathon, the Battle...
![Anahita](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/c/p/360x202/5064.jpg?v=1720647483)
Definition
Anahita
Anahita is the ancient Persian goddess of fertility, water, health and healing, and wisdom. Owing to her association with life-giving properties, she also came to be connected with ancient Persian warfare as soldiers would pray to her for...