The Ancient Persian Empire lasted for just over 200 years from 550BCE to 330BCE and stretched across 3 continents. It was founded by Cyrus the Great and reached its greatest extent under the Shah of Shas Darius I. It was conquered by Alexander of Macedon known to the Ancient Greeks of Ancient Greece as Alexander the Great but to the Persians throughout Persian History he is known as "gizistag aleksandar ī hrōmāyīg" or "Alexander the Accursed".

The marvels of this empire were many and it would set the blueprint for many empires to come!

MUSIC: Sixheaded who provided permission to use his track:
Astyages' Dream, overture to Cyrus the Great Symphonic Suite. Inspired by the story of Cyrus the Great of Persia.
Original song and video:    • Cyrus the Great Overture  

Sources:
Greece and Rome at War: Peter Connolly
History of the Persian Empire: A.T. Olmstead
Persian Fire: The First World Empire and the Battle for the West: Tom Holland
The Persian Empire: Lindsay Allen
Forgotten Empire: The World of Ancient Persia: J.E Curtis/N.Tallis
Ancient Persia - A Concise History of the Achaemenid Empire - Matt Walters
Shadows in the Desert - Ancient Persia at War - Kaveh Farrokh