#AchaemenidEmpire

[whencyclopedia]

From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire

"From Cyrus to Alexander" by Pierre Briant offers a detailed history of the Persian Empire, focusing on its administration, culture, and military. Briant highlights Persia’s innovations in governance and its tolerant, multicultural approach. The book challenges traditional Greek-centric views, presenting Persia as a complex and influential empire with a lasting historical legacy.

Pierre Briant’s From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire is widely considered the definitive modern history of the Persian Empire. The book covers its origins under Cyrus the Great through its conquest by Alexander the Great. Originally published in French as Histoire de l’Empire Perse in 1996, the English translation made this monumental work accessible to a wider audience, expanding its influence in Near Eastern studies, ancient history, and comparative empires.

Briant’s book stands out for its focus on presenting the Persian Empire as an autonomous civilization rather than through the perspective of its Greek rivals. Historically, much of what Western scholars knew about the Persian Empire came from Greek sources like Herodotus, who often cast Persia as a monolithic enemy. By situating Persia at the center of its own narrative and making extensive use of archaeological findings, inscriptions, and administrative records, Briant counters this Eurocentric bias and offers a view of Persia as a sophisticated, multiethnic empire that left a significant legacy of governance, culture, and trade.

Briant structures the book in a way that mirrors the breadth of the Persian Empire, dedicating each section to a different aspect of the empire’s history, politics, economy, society, and culture. The organisation of the book reflects his emphasis on a systemic, comprehensive examination of the empire.

The early chapters detail Cyrus the Great’s conquests and policies of tolerance, which established a stable, expansive empire. Briant also examines governance, highlighting the balance between central control and local autonomy, the role of satraps, and the unifying use of Aramaic as an administrative lingua franca. Moreover, he analyses the Persian military apparatus, from its elite units like the Immortals to the logistical organisation enabling vast mobilizations by the Persians. He contextualises major conflicts, including the Persian Wars as part of a strategy to stabilize borders and secure valuable territories, rather than dominate all of Greece.

The book also dedicates significant attention to the Persian economy, exploring the empire’s agrarian base, trade networks, and taxation system. He shows how Persia’s economic policies were designed to support both the imperial treasury and local economies, creating a sustainable model that contributed to the empire’s longevity. The culture and religion section highlights Persia’s promotion of cultural integration and religious diversity. Briant shows how Persian art blended regional styles to symbolize royal authority and examines how Zoroastrian traditions coexisted with support for local religions, fostering loyalty among subjects.

One of Briant’s central arguments is that the Persian Empire’s strength lay in its policy of tolerance and inclusion. By allowing conquered peoples to retain their religious practices, local laws, and leaders, the Persians created a sense of allegiance that went beyond military domination. He also highlights the Persian administrative system as a model for later empires, like the Roman and Islamic. Innovations such as standardized taxation, the Royal Road, and an organised postal system enabled centralised yet flexible governance. His analysis of satrapies shows how Persia balanced regional autonomy with loyalty to central authority.

The book repositions the Persian Empire within a global context, highlighting its role in economic and cultural exchange across Asia and the Mediterranean. Through trade and diplomacy with regions like Egypt and Greece, Persia facilitated the flow of ideas and technologies, serving as a prototype for managing diverse populations and complex trade networks.

From Cyrus to Alexander is widely praised for its depth but critiqued for its daunting length and scholarly density. While excelling in its analysis of Persian administration and politics, it offers limited insight into the daily lives of ordinary Persians, focusing more on imperial strategies than social and cultural history.

This monumental work offers a detailed and balanced account of the Persian Empire, redefining its role in world history. Briant’s focus on understanding Persia on its own terms provides valuable insights into its governance, economy, and cultural integration, making it an essential resource for ancient Near Eastern studies.

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[david-a-b]

#叙利亚文物 #爱神#阿斯塔蒂#Astarte#化妆瓶 #阿契美尼德帝国 #AchaemenidEmpire #公元前六世纪 #临展#攻金之工：亚欧大陆早期金属艺术与文明互鉴 #清华大学艺术博物馆 #海淀区（在 清华大学艺术博物馆） https://www.instagram.com/p/CpM543OPqgv/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[powerixnews]

The Legend of Cyrus the Great The Baby who Sparked a Revolution #CyrusTh... Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire in ancient Persia, was reportedly born with unique birthmarks prophesied to signify future greatness. Learn about the legend and prophecy surrounding the birth of Cyrus, as well as his rise to conquer vast territories. Explore the historical narratives that emphasize the role of prophecy in shaping the legacy of this great ruler. #CyrusTheGreat #AchaemenidEmpire #AncientPersia #LegendsofHistory #HistoricalNarratives #Prophecy #GreatRulers #Legacy

[payambigdelo]

Day 11, #achaemenidsoldier ; #maysketchaday - - - [ #characterconcept #drawinganatomyandart #mesopotamianart #historicalcharacter #charactersketch #msd2022 #maysketchaday2022 #dailycharactersketch #achaemenidempire #persianculture #conceptcharacterdesign #payambigdelo ] https://www.instagram.com/p/CdbkuuXtgUG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[iranhandcraft]

Ochus, better known by his dynastic name of #Artaxerxes III was #King of Kings of the #AchaemenidEmpire from 358 to 338 BC. He was the son and successor of Artaxerxes II and his mother was Stateira. Before ascending the throne Artaxerxes was a satrap and commander of his father's army Before ascending the throne Artaxerxes was a satrap and commander of his father's army. Artaxerxes came to power after one of his brothers was executed, another committed suicide, the last murdered and his father, Artaxerxes II died. Soon after becoming king, Artaxerxes murdered all of the royal family to secure his place as king. He started two major campaigns against Egypt. The first campaign failed, and was followed up by rebellions throughout the western part of his #empire (at Takht-e-Jamshid تخت جمشید) https://www.instagram.com/p/CV97RjooYRY/?utm_medium=tumblr

[renehw]

A bone scabbard chape, made in Iran c. 500 BC, from @allardpierson in Amsterdam. The kings of the Achaemenid Empire (c. 559-331 BC) managed to conquer and subdue vast territories due to their effective military. The most famous soldiers of their armed forces are the so-called ‘Immortals’, a 10,000 strong elite corps according to Greek sources. Palace reliefs depict guardsmen and soldiers in court dress. Persian infantrymen usually carried a short sword known as ‘akinakes’. The scabbard of these swords were sometimes decorated with embossed gold or gilded stucco. The chape of those scabbards could be made of ivory or bone with carved reliefs. The one seen here has a goat’s head as decoration. #allardpiersonmuseum #allardpierson #amsterdam #scabbard #chape #military #sword #iran #iranian #achaemenid #achaemenidempire #bone #goat #decoration #ancient #ancientart #ancientneareast #ancientneareasternart #history #art #archaeology #miltaryhistory #arthistory #akinakes (bij Allard Pierson Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHVkOPeHqGO/?igshid=1q4bjr25dso0o

[nazmiyalantiquerugs]

Persepolis antique Persian textile. #persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the #achaemenid empire. #textile #antiquetextile #persiantextile #achaemenidempire #shiraz #farsprovince #515bc #worldheritagesite #architecture #gateofnations #apadana #palaces #tombs #ancienttext #muesum #raretextile #wallhanging #tapestry #nazmiyalcollection

[invitationtoiran-blog]

On this day (29th October) 539 BCE the Persian king Cyrus II walked triumphantly into Babylon, the ancient Mesopotamian capital and seat of a huge empire that straddled the middle east. Iranian communities around the world mark this day as “Cyrus the Great Day” or “Cyrus Day”, روز کوروش October 29 (7th of Aban آبان) After taking Babylon, Cyrus proclaimed himself "King of Babylon... king of the four corners of the world" in the famous Cyrus Cylinder. The text of the cylinder portrays the victorious Cyrus addressing the Babylonian god Marduk, and how Cyrus had improved the lives of Babylonians, repatriated displaced peoples, and restored cult sanctuaries and temples. Some assert that the cylinder represents a form of human rights charter, whilst other historians place it in the context of a long-standing Mesopotamian tradition of new rulers beginning their reigns with declarations of reforms. Cyrus the Great's dominions comprised the largest empire the world had ever seen. These 2 images: a photograph of The tomb of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Achaemenid Empire, at Pasargadae; and detail of bas relief at the Archaemenid city of Persepolis. Both located in Fars Province, central Iran, and both UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Www.invitationtoiran.com #documentaryphotography #simonnorfolk #archaeology #iran #Persian #Persianempire #Persepolis #shah #Achaemenid #Achaemenidempire #history #heritage #worldheritage #worldheritagesite #shiraz #fars #simonnorfolkstudio #documentary #igtravel #visualarchitects #empire #cyruscylinder #babylon #pasargadae @simonnorfolkstudio

[persiscollection-blog]

🔥ACHAEMENID EMPIRE BRACELET🔥 🌏Worldwide Shipping🌏 #PersisCollection #PersianArt #pearls #DecorativeArt #achaemenidempire #unique #luxurystreetwear #farvahar #achaemenid #handmadejewelry #braclets #HomeAccessories #wingedsun #persian #uniquejewelry #Style #Exotic #Handmade #Art #handicrafts #WearableArt #GiftIdeas #gift (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7bmQ0RHHTK/?igshid=ut7zoogtmfnr

[safdarrizvi]

Naqsh-e Rustam

Naqsh-e Rustam is an ancient necropolis located about 12 km northwest of Persepolis, in Fars Province, Iran, with a group of ancient Iranian rock reliefs cut into the cliff, from both the Achaemenid and Sassanid periods. It lies a few hundred meters from Naqsh-e Rajab, with a further four Sassanid rock reliefs, three celebrating kings and one a high priest.

Naqsh-e Rustam is the necropolis of the Achaemenid dynasty (c. 550–330 BC), with four large tombs cut high into the cliff face. These have mainly architectural decoration, but the facades include large panels over the doorways, each very similar in content, with figures of the king being invested by a god, above a zone with rows of smaller figures bearing tribute, with soldiers and officials. The three classes of figures are sharply differentiated in size. The entrance to each tomb is at the center of each cross, which opens onto a small chamber, where the king lay in a sarcophagus.

Well below the Achaemenid tombs, near ground level, are rock reliefs with large figures of Sassanian kings, some meeting gods, others in combat. The most famous shows the Sassanian king Shapur I on horseback, with the Roman Emperor Valerian bowing to him in submission, and Philip the Arab (an earlier emperor who paid Shapur tribute) holding Shapur's horse, while the dead Emperor Gordian III, killed in battle, lies beneath it (other identifications have been suggested). This commemorates the Battle of Edessa in 260 AD, when Valerian became the only Roman Emperor who was captured as a prisoner of war, a lasting humiliation for the Romans. The placing of these reliefs clearly suggests the Sassanid intention to link themselves with the glories of the earlier Achaemenid Empire.

Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naqsh-e_Rustam

https://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/naqsh-e-rustam-ancient-tombs-powerful-persian-kings-003231

#iran #mustdiscoveriran #must_discover_iran #tourism #tourist #vacation #holiday #places_to_visit #peaceful_places #naghsherostam #shiraz #naghsherajab #achaemenidempire #achaemenid

#ایران

#مکانهایدیدنی

#شهرقدیمی #مکانهایآرامشبخش #بایدایرانراکشفکرد

#سفر #نقش_رستم

[whencyclopedia]

Achaemenid Kings List & Commentary

The Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) was the first great Persian political entity in Western and Central Asia which stretched, at its peak, from Asia Minor to the Indus Valley and Mesopotamia through Egypt. It was founded by Cyrus II (the Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE) whose vision of a vast, all-inclusive Persian Empire was, more or less, maintained by his successors.

The Persians arrived in the region of modern-day Iran as part of a migratory group of Aryans (meaning “noble” or “free” and referencing a class of people, not a race). The Aryans – made up of many tribes such as the Alans, Bactrians, Medes, Parthians, and Persians, as well as others – settled in the area which became known as Ariana (Iran) – “the land of the Aryans”. The tribe which eventually became known as the Persians settled at Persis (modern-day Fars) which gave them their name.

Artaxerxes V (r. 330-329 BCE) was the short-lived throne name of Bessus, satrap of Bactria, who assassinated Darius III and proclaimed himself king. Alexander the Great found the dead or dying Darius III (the original accounts vary on this) in a cart where Bessus had left him and gave him a proper burial with all honors. Afterwards, Alexander had Bessus executed and took for himself the honor of the title Shahanshah, the king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire.

Conclusion

Although the Achaemenid Empire was no longer what it had been under Darius I, it was still intact when Alexander conquered it. He attempted a synthesis of Greek and Persian cultures by marrying his soldiers to Persian women, elevating Persian officers to high rank in his army, and comporting himself as a Persian king. His efforts were not appreciated by the Greek/Macedonian army and, after his death in 323 BCE, his vision was abandoned. Since he had named no clear successor at the time of his death, his generals went to war with each other to claim supremacy.

These wars (known as the Wars of Diadochi, 322-275 BCE), resulted, in part, in the rise of the Seleucid Empire (312-63 BCE) under Alexander's general Seleucus I Nicator (r. 305-281 BCE). The Seleucid Empire occupied approximately the same regions as the Achaemenid and, though it rose to a position of strength, gradually lost territory, first to the Parthians and then later to Rome. The Seleucids were succeeded by the Parthian Empire (247 BCE- 224 CE) which fell to the Sassanian Empire (224-651 CE). The Sassanians revived the best aspects of the Achaemenid Empire and would become the greatest expression of Persian culture in the ancient world.

The Sassanian Empire preserved the culture of the Achaemenids and, even after its fall to the invading Muslim Arabs, this culture would endure and spread throughout the ancient world. Many aspects of life in the modern day, from the seemingly mundane of birthday parties, desserts, and teatime to the more sublime of monotheism, mathematics, and aspects of art and architecture, were developed by the Sassanians drawing on the model of the Achaemenid Empire.

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[david-a-b]

#伊朗文物 #羊形#来通 #阿契美尼德帝国 #AchaemenidEmpire #公元前六世纪 #临展#攻金之工：亚欧大陆早期金属艺术与文明互鉴 #清华大学艺术博物馆 #海淀区（在 清华大学艺术博物馆） https://www.instagram.com/p/CpMKTTlvei6/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[puriyapersianboy]

#نوروز #نوروز۹۸ #نوروز۱۳۹۸ #نوروز۲۵۷۸ #nowruz #بختیاری #کرد #کورد #علی_اکبر_مهدی_پور_دهکردی #علی_اکبر_مهدی_پور #استاد_علی_اکبر_مهدی_پور_دهکردی_بختیاری #موسیقی_هنگام_تحویل_سال_نو #هخامنشی #هخامنشیان #achaemenid #achaemenidempire #achaemenian https://www.instagram.com/puriya_persianboy/p/BvUehZNnSK9/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=17r3z6j6cnmp5

[travellingspice]

Naqsh-e Rustam majestic tombs of Persian Kings

Naqsh-e Rustam majestic tombs of Persian Kings

It was time to bid farewell to Persepolis and head to Naqsh-e Rustam. At Persepolis we had had a glimpse of how life was conducted under the great Achaemenid Empire (500 – 330 BCE). Now it was time to visit the majestic tombs and last resting place of its kings.

All day, there had been threats of a storm around the ancient city. Now that we were driving away, a strong wind was rising. Soon a…

[azizdogdu]

Persepolis detayı / Persepolis detail #britishmuseum #ancientiran #achaemenidempire #persepolis #london #unitedkingdom #exhibition #ancientmiddleeast (British Museum) https://www.instagram.com/p/BtEaRpDhiC3/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=156zowja2w7w8

[sabinalewis]

Immortals, Persian warrior, or Persian immortals, the greatest army in the achaemenid empire. Day 17, this ones a quick one because my eyes hurt. Having your face 1 inch away from your PC screen doesn't help you see it better, but I always find myself leaning forward. #Inktober #inktober2018 #immortals #persian #persianwarrior #persianimmortal #achaemenid #achaemenidempire https://www.instagram.com/p/BpC6CVig9Tf/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=zndzh44hndlw