Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Darius I (the Great) creates the first superpower through sword and organisation. He
divides Persia into provinces, creates a uniform monetary system and adopts a com-
mon language.
486-465 BC
War with the Greeks dominates Xerxes I's reign. After burning Athens in 480 BC, the
Persians lose control of Macedonia, Thrace and Ionia. The Apadama Palace at
Persepolis is completed.
358 BC
Artaxerxes III (358-338 BC) takes the throne after assassinating eight half-brothers. In
343 BC he defeats Egypt, which is again made a Persian satrapy.
334-330 BC
Alexander the Great's Macedonians defeat Persian armies at Granicus, Issus and
Guagamela. He marches on Susa and Persepolis, whose surrender in effect ends the
once-mighty Achaemenid empire.
323-162 BC
After Alexander the Great dies in Babylon in 323 BC, infighting sees his empire di-
vided in three, with the Seleucids ruling parts of Persia until 162 BC. Greek becomes
the lingua franca.
309 BC
Ambitious Macedonian Cassander has Alexander the Great's Persian widow, Roxana,
and their son, Alexander IV, put to death to clear the way for his rule.
247 BC
The Parthians, natives of the area southeast of the Caspian Sea, rebel against the
Seleucids to begin the longest empire in Iranian history, lasting 471 years.
123-88 BC
Mithridates II expands Parthian control from the borders of the Roman Empire to Ch-
ina and India. He establishes diplomatic and trade relations with China. Greek remains
the lingua franca.
