Achaemenid is name of the dynasty that ruled ancient Persia from about 700 BC, until its conquest by Alexander the Great. The first rulers of Achaemenid Persia were the subjects of the Assyrians. They may also have ruled a small part of the ancient kingdom of Elam.
The most famous Achaemenid rulers were Cyrus the Great, his son Cambysus, Darius, and Xerxes I. Cyrus founded the first world empire – after defeating the Median dynasty and uniting the Medes with the other major Iranian tribe, the Persians. He gained fame both as a triumphant conqueror and a superb warrior, besides being the founder of the greatest empire the world has ever seen. Cambyses was the son and successor of Cyrus. He continued the policy of expansion started by his father Cyrus. After becoming king of Persia, he conquered Egypt, and was named pharaoh in 526.
Darius was also known as Darius the Great. His reign lasted from 522 to 486. When he died, the Persian Empire had reached its peak. He was succeeded by his son Xerxes. Before Xerxes came to the throne, rebellions had been breaking out in Egypt and Babylon. He quelled both swiftly, and set up a strict rule. However, the power of the Achaemenid dynasty was now on the decline, and the end came with the invasion of Persia by Alexander the Great.
