Ancient Persia

Q: What is ancient Persia today?

Ancient Persia is roughly modern-day Iran.

Q: What are the empires of ancient Persia?

The empires of ancient Persia were the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE), the Parthian Empire (247 BCE-224 CE), and the Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE). Between the Achaemenid and Parthian empire was the reign of Alexander the Great and the Hellenistic Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE).

Q: What is ancient Persia best known for?

Ancient Persia is known for the establishment of the first postal system, agricultural innovations, significant rights for women, religious tolerance, early refrigeration and air conditioning, and the Persian rug among many other cultural contributions.

Q: Did Alexander the Great end ancient Persia?

No. Alexander the Great conquered the Achaemenid Empire, which was only the first of the Persian empires. There were also the Parthian and Sassanian empires. The Sassanian Empire was conquered by the Arab Muslims in 651 CE, the official date ending "ancient Persia" and marking the beginning of the modern period.

Joshua J. Mark

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Definition

Persia (roughly modern-day Iran) is among the oldest inhabited regions in the world. Archaeological sites in the country have established human habitation dating back 100,000 years to the Paleolithic Age with semi-permanent settlements (most likely for hunting parties) established before 10,000 BCE.

More about: Ancient Persia

Timeline

c. 7200 BCE
Elamite community of Chogha Bonut established.
4395 BCE
City of Susa founded in region of ancient Persia.
c. 3000 BCE
Aryan tribes of Indo-Iranians migrate to the region, among them are Persians.
c. 1500 BCE - c. 1000 BCE
Development of the religion of Zoroastrianism in region of ancient Persia.
727 BCE - 675 BCE
Medes unite during the reign of their king Dayukku (aka Deioces).
675 BCE - 640 BCE
Persians settle in Persis during the reign of their king Teispes.
c. 550 BCE
Cyrus the Great of Persia founds the Achaemenid Empire.
c. 550 BCE - 330 BCE
The Persian Achaemenid Empire reigns over Central Asia, Mesopotamia, Anatolia, and Egypt.
330 BCE
Persian Achaemenid Empire falls to Alexander the Great.
312 BCE - 63 BCE
The Seleucid Empire replaces the Achaemenid Empire.
247 BCE - 224 BCE
Parthia replaces the Seleucid Empire.
224 CE - 651 CE
The Sassanian Empire replaces the Parthian Empire.
651 CE
Sassanian Empire conquered during the Muslim Arab invasion of the 7th century CE.
8 Mar 1010 CE
The epic Persian poem *Shahnameh* ("The Book of Kings") is completed by the poet Ferdowsi, who began the work in 977.