Achaemenid Persian Empire: Map & History
The first global superpower, governing over 40% of the planetary human population from the Indus Valley to the Aegean Sea via satraps and the Royal Road.
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Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The first global superpower, governing over 40% of the planetary human population from the Indus Valley to the Aegean Sea via satraps and the Royal Road.
Modern Countries Once Part of Achaemenid Persian Empire
At its mapped extent, Achaemenid Persian Empire covered territory in 20 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Afghanistan550–330 BCE · nearly all
- Jordan530–332 BCE · nearly all
- Cyprus500–332 BCE · nearly all
- Iran550–330 BCE · nearly all
- Iraq550–330 BCE · nearly all
- Egypt500–332 BCE · most
- Syria530–330 BCE · most
- Turkey550–330 BCE · most
- Lebanon530–332 BCE · most
- Tajikistan550–330 BCE · most
- Turkmenistan550–330 BCE · most
- Palestine530–332 BCE · most
- Israel530–332 BCE · most
- Uzbekistan550–330 BCE · most
- Armenia550–330 BCE · most
- Pakistan550–330 BCE · a large part
- Greece540–451 BCE · a small part
- Libya500–332 BCE · a small part
- Azerbaijan550–330 BCE · a small part
- Bulgaria480–451 BCE · a small part
States and Provinces
- Razavi Khorasan, Iran
- Baluchistan, Pakistan
- Khuzestan, Iran
- N.W.F.P., Pakistan
- Ahal, Turkmenistan
- Al Minya, Egypt
- Esfahan, Iran
- Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan
- Sind, Pakistan
- Matruh, Egypt
- Anatoliki Makedonia kai Thraki, Greece
- Hatay, Turkey
- Kentriki Makedonia, Greece
- Leninabad, Tajikistan
- Ajdabiya, Libya
- Balkan, Turkmenistan
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Achaemenid Persian Empire's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Achaemenid Persian Empire: Key Facts
| Capitals | Babylon, Pasargadae, Persepolis, Susa |
|---|---|
| Religions | Zoroastrianism, Babylonian religion, religion of ancient Egypt |
| Form of government | monarchy, theocracy |
| Currencies | Persian daric, siglos |
| Founded | 550 BCE |
| Dissolved | 330 BCE |
Preceded by
- Median Kingdom
- Neo-Babylonian Empire
- Lydia
- Twenty-sixth Dynasty of Egypt
- Massagetae
- Sogdia
Succeeded by
- Macedonia
- Twenty-eighth Dynasty of Egypt
- Sogdia
Facts from Wikidata Q389688 (CC0).
Imperial History & Territorial Expansion
Founded by Cyrus the Great through the conquest of the Medes, Lydians, and Neo-Babylonians, the Achaemenid Empire introduced revolutionary administrative models. Darius I organized the realm into twenty satrapies, standardized coinage, and constructed the 2,700-kilometer Royal Road from Susa to Sardis, ensuring imperial messengers could traverse the realm in seven days.
Achaemenid Persian Empire Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Cyrus overthrows Astyages of Media and establishes the Persian Empire.
Cyrus peacefully enters Babylon and issues the charter of religious return.
Darius establishes satrapies, introduces the Daric, and begins construction of Persepolis.
The empire governs 5.5 million km² spanning from Thrace to the Indus Valley.
Fall of Persepolis concludes the Achaemenid dynasty.
Key Monarchs, Architects & Strategists
Enduring Planetary Legacy
- ✓The Cyrus Cylinder, celebrated as one of history’s earliest charters of cultural tolerance
- ✓The Royal Road postal system, famously praised by Herodotus for unyielding speed
- ✓System of satrapies providing a durable template for regional governors in large empires
- ✓Monumental relief architecture and ceremonial hypostyle halls of Persepolis
Achaemenid Persian Empire: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Achaemenid Persian Empire exist?
The Achaemenid Persian Empire is dated to 550 BCE – 330 BCE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire?
The capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire was Persepolis, Pasargadae, Susa, Babylon.
How large was the Achaemenid Persian Empire at its peak?
At its peak in 480 BC the Achaemenid Persian Empire covered about 5,500,000 km².