v08_0106 - PERSIA - ACHAEMENID KINGDOM Sicle d'argent

PERSIA - ACHAEMENID KINGDOM

(5th - 4th century BC)

The Achaemenid dynasty will last two centuries (559-330 AC.) and mark Asia Minor for a long time. Cyrus, the founder, seizes Babylon and Lydia from Croesus. His son Cambyses conquered Egypt in 525 BC. Darius I succeeded him (521-486 AC.) and began the Persian Wars against rebellious Asia Minor, then against Athens, which had supported the insurgents. He was defeated at Marathon in 490 AC. His son Xerxes (486-465 AC.) continued his policy, but was crushed at Salamis and Plataea. It is the end of the Persian hegemonic dream. The dynasty died out with Darius III Codoman (339-330 AC.) who was defeated by Alexander who, for three centuries, imposed Hellenism as far away as India.