Achaemenid Empire: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 22:10, 21 June 2007

Revision as of 23:50, 25 June 2007

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Darius III, although previously [[Orontid Dynasty|Satrap of Armenia]], had no training in governing the empire. Nonetheless, he showed his mettle in his first year as emperor by personally forcing Bagoas to swallow poison. In 334 BC, when Darius was just succeeding in subduing Egypt again, Alexander attacked Asia Minor and although the western Satraps met him in force, these were no match for the (now) battle-hardened troops of the Macedonian. Following the battles of [[Battle of Issus|Issus]] (332 BC), then [[Battle of Gaugamela|Gaugamela]] (331 BC),Babylon (331 BC), Alexander marched on Susa, which likewise capitulated and surrendered vast treasure. Alexander then went eastwards to Persepolis which surrendered in early 330 BC. From Persepolis, Alexander headed north to Pasargadae where he treated the tomb of Cyrus II with respect. From there he headed to Ecbatana, where Darius III had sought refuge. Darius III was killed, and on orders from Alexander, his body was taken with full honors to Persepolis for interment.

The Achaemenid era was succeeded by the Seleucid era, that is, by the generals of Alexander and their descendants. They in turn would be succeeded by the AracidArsacid dynasty of Parthia in North-Eastern Iran, who would (quite spuriously) claim Artaxerxes II for their ancestor. Istakhr, one of the vassal kingdoms of the Arsacids would be overthrown by Papak, a priest of the temple there. Papak's son, [[Ardeshir I]], who named himself in remembrance of Artaxerxes II, revolted against the Parthians, defeated them and went on to establish the second Persian Empire, 556 years after the end of the first.

==Politics and Administration==