Achaemenid

The Achaemenid empire designates the dynasty and imperial tradition founded by Cyrus the Great in the sixth century BCE. This empire ruled an extensive and diverse population, in territories across the Near East, near modern day Turkey, and central Asia, through a centralized administration that relied on regional governors, taxation systems, written records, and standardized law. Achaemenid rule is noted for large-scale infrastructure, imperial communication networks, and policies that allowed local customs and religions to continue under Persian oversight. The term applies broadly to the empire’s political authority, cultural influence, and historical legacy.