Persian rule created the first land-based world empire, which became one of the first superpowers in the Near East.The Achaemenid dynasty controlled territory stretching fiom northern Libya to Central Asia fi'om the mid sixth century BCE, incorporating the ancient civilizations and former imperial centres of Egypt, Assyria and Babylonia. For over 200 years its kings fostered international communication and cultural exchange to an unprecedented degree, developing a unique imperial image rooted in the diverse and sophisticated cultures of the regions they ruled.

Their unification of such a vast area stimulated a rich response in both the literary and material records of their subjects. Historical traditions inspired by their campaigns and the drama of their multicultural royal court have been hugely influential in the evolution of European ideas about the East. Achaemenid dynastic power ended with the lengthy invasion and takeover by Alexander the Great and in the wake this death the enrpire broke up, bequeathing to their Hellenistic and Roman successors a rich legacy of cultures and ideologies.

INTRODUC'TION 6

THE ROOTS OF PERSIAN RULE 14

CONQUEST AND POLITICS 36

ROYAL CAPITALS 58

THE RIVALS: REGIONAL RULERS AND REFLECTIONS OF POWER 96

PEOPLES, COMMUNICATION AND RELIGION 110

ALEXANDER AND THE END OF EMPIRE 132

LEGENDS, LANGUAGE AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERY 160

NOTES 185

BIBLIOGRAPHY 199

PICTURE CREDITS 204

INDEX 205