Ancient World
Nabonidus at Tayma: Babylon's Absent Antiquarian King
Nabonidus ruled from Tayma for about a decade while his son Belshazzar governed Babylon, a long absence later used to discredit him after Cyrus took Babylon.
Region
Middle East
Ancient World
Oxus Treasure: Gold and Silver of the Achaemenid Persians
The treasure was bequeathed to the British Museum in 1897 and is the most important collection of Achaemenid gold and silver to survive.
Ancient World
Cyrus the Great Founds the Persian Empire (550 BC)
Cyrus defeated Astyages and took over the Median kingdom, creating the core of the Achaemenid Persian Empire.
Ancient World
Fall of Sardis (547 BC): Cyrus the Great Defeats Croesus
Persian victory; the Lydian kingdom ended and western Anatolia passed under Achaemenid rule.
Ancient World
Pasargadae and the Tomb of Cyrus the Great in Iran
Built as Cyrus's royal capital; its tomb survives as the best-preserved monument of the founder of the Persian Empire.
Ancient World
Cyrus Cylinder: Persian Proclamation and Modern Icon
A Babylonian foundation inscription presenting Cyrus as Marduk's chosen king; in modern times a celebrated symbol of tolerance and Iranian heritage.
Ancient World
Fall of Babylon to Cyrus the Great (539 BC): End of an Empire
Persian victory; the Neo-Babylonian Empire ended and Mesopotamia, Syria and the Levant passed under Achaemenid rule.
Ancient World
Return from Exile: Cyrus's Decree and the Second Temple
Judeans were allowed to return to Jerusalem, the Temple was rebuilt by about 515 BC and Judah survived as a self-governing Persian province.
Ancient World
Death of Cyrus the Great (530 BC) and Queen Tomyris
Cyrus died on campaign; his son Cambyses II succeeded him and the empire remained intact.
Ancient World
Battle of Pelusium (525 BC): Cambyses II Conquers Egypt
Persian victory; Egypt was conquered and became a province of the Achaemenid Empire.
Ancient World
Darius I Seizes the Persian Throne (522 BC): Gaumata Affair
Darius became king of Persia and, after a year of civil wars, secured control of the whole empire.
Ancient World
Palace of Darius at Susa: Achaemenid Royal Residence
Became one of the main royal residences of the Achaemenid Empire; its glazed-brick friezes are now among the best-known Persian artworks.