The Persian Empire
In the hills of what is known today as Iran a group of shepherds were united by an aggressive leader named Cyrus. They were called Persians. At first they were controlled by the Medes who had helped Nebuchadnezzar overthrow the Assyrians. Then the Persians became a dominant force and the Medo-Persian Empire was established. By the time the ruling house of Darius I began the Medes had lost their importance. The kingdom became known as the Persian Empire a power that would later dominate Mesopotamia and threaten the Greeks.
Development of the Persian Empire
After the Assyrian Empire was overthrown and before Babylon fell King Cyaxares of Media conquered other small kingdoms in Asia Minor. He was a wise ruler and during his rein great wealth flowed into his kingdom. The Medes however did not handle the riches and the power well. When Cyaxares died the people forgot the moral teachings that had given them strength. The men of Media began to dress like women and no longer trained for warfare. The government became corrupt as officials bean to accept bribes. Meanwhile as the kingdom of Media was decaying the Persians rebelled. Under the leadership of Cyrus they overthrew the Medes. The people of Media tired of their government's corruption helped Cyrus take over their country. By 550 B.C. Cyrus had united the Medes and the Persians into an unbeatable righting force. The next enemy Cyrus faced was Croesus king of Lydia. Their armies clashed at the Halys River in 547 B.C. Cyrus' troops mounted on camels defeated the Lydian army. This win also brought Lydia and Ionia under Persian control. After conquering all of the territory as far east as the borders of India Cyrus turned toward Babylon. As we have seen the rulers of Babylon were without strong leadership. In this time of crisis the Babylonian priests opened the gates and led the Medo-Persian army into the city. Cyrus added Babylon to his conquests and the Medo-Persian Empire was well established. King Cyrus was not satisfied with the kingdoms of Assyria, Babylonia, Lydia, and Media that he controlled. He continued expanding his territory but was killed while fighting an unknown tribe on the southern shore of the Caspian Sea.
Darius I
The new king of the Medo-Persian Empire was CAmbyses Cyrus' son. He also set out to enlarge the empire and conquered Egypt. While in Egypt however he learned there was a rebellion at home. Cambyses started back but died on the way. Legend says that he killed himself. For a short time there was a struggle for power in the Medo-Persian Empire. As we have learned the Medes had lost their importance and the empire was known as the Persian Empire. Then in 522 B.C. Darius I becau