Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
c 1125 BC
The king of Babylon, Nebuchadrezzar I invades Elam and sacks the capital Susa
(Shush).
c 836 BC
The Medes establish a capital at Ecbatana (modern Hamadan) and compete for trade
and influence with Babylon, Lydia, Scythia and the Neo-Assyrian empire.
625-585 BC
Median king Cyaxares the Great joins with Babylon to sack Nineveh and end the Neo-
Assyrian empire, expanding Median control from Asia Minor in the west to Kerman in
the east.
559 BC
Aged 21, Cyrus II becomes king of the fast-rising Achaemenid people. His 30-year
rule establishes a multi-state empire governed from Pasargadae, Babylon, Susa and
Ecbatana, each with limited regional autonomy.
550 BC
Cyrus II effectively ends the Median Empire when he defeats his own grandfather -
the hated king Astyages - in battle at Pasargadae. Within five years he also conquers
Lydia.
539 BC
The Achaemenids destroy the Babylonians at Opis. Cyrus releases Jews who had been
enslaved in Babylon. Such benign policies were key to maintaining good relations with
defeated subject nations.
529-522 BC
Cyrus's son Cambyses II continues his father's empire building by conquer-
ing Egypt, Nubia, and Cyrenaica during his short rule. His mysterious death in Egypt
sparks a succession crisis.
522-486 BC
