Persian Empire timeline

3000 B.C.: Elamite Kingdom emerges
550 B.C.: Cyrus the Great founds Persian Empire
539 B.C.: Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon and releases the Jews from captivity
525 B.C.: Persia conquers Egypt
522 B.C.: Darius becomes king
490-449 B.C.: Persian Wars with Greece
334 B.C.: Alexander the Great conquers Persian Empire
323 B.C. Alexander dies in Babylon; his empire split and the Seleucid Empire forms
247 B.C.: The Parthians overthrow the Seleucids
224 A.D.: Sassanid Dynasty overthrows the Parthians
260: Shapur I captures Roman Emperor Valerian
642: Muslims conquer Persia

History Shorts: Cyrus the Great forms Persian Empire (559 B.C.)

Cyrus the Great formed the Persian Empire which encompassed Southwest Asia, Central Asia, and parts of Europe. His empire stretched from the Mediterranean to the Indus. As one of the history's greatest empires, the Persians dominated the region until conquered by Alexander. Cyrus the Great was well known for his decision making skills and respect for other cultures.



On Cyrus:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_TD76nIqfsE

Unfortunately, this is how western culture views the Persians:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrRJ_ZaSm0Q