The Achaemenid Empire: Rise, Prosperity, and Decline The Achaemenid Empire, or the Persian Empire, flourished from 559 B.C.E. to 331 B.C.E., ruling over vast territories encompassing present-day Iran, Egypt, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. At its helm stood Cyrus the Great, a visionary leader who defied the conventions of conquest and chose a path of mercy … Continue reading The Glorious Reign of the Achaemenid Empire