BETWEEN 559 AND 530 BC
Reign of King Cyrus II over Persia:
In 550, he defeated the Medes, appropriated their lands and created the vast Persian Empire. The Persians follow the precepts of a prophet named Zarathustra (or Zoroaster), who teaches them that there is only one god.
IN 539 BC
A Persian army invades Babylon:
Babylon thus enters the powerful Persian Empire. It is the fall of the Babylonian Empire.
IN 536 B.C.
The Hebrews return to Jerusalem:
The Hebrews who were captives in Babylon, return to Jerusalem and build a second temple there in place of the first which was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II. The temple was completed in 515 BC.
IN 525 B.C.
The Persians invade Egypt:
Under the reign of Cambyses II, the Persians conquered Egypt and captured Pharaoh Psammetichus III at the Battle of Pelusium. Cambyses II takes the official title of Pharaoh, but rules from his hometown of Susa leaving Egypt under the control of a satrapy (administrative division of the Persian Empire). Although some revolts against the Persians were successful, the Egyptians failed to overthrow them permanently.
BETWEEN 522 AND 486 BC
Reign of King Darius I:
The Persian Empire grows and becomes the largest the world has ever known. The conquered peoples pay taxes to the king who becomes fabulously rich. It allows people to keep their religion and way of life, provided they pay their tribute. Thanks to his wealth he built a magnificent palace in Persepolis. He has roads built through his empire so that messengers can travel faster. The royal road stretches for 2,700 km.
BETWEEN 490 AND 479 BC
The Persians attack Greece:
This is the beginning of the Persian Wars. The Greeks defend themselves and crush the Persians in a terrible battle at Marathon.
BETWEEN 486 AND 465 BC. AD
Reign of King Xerxes I over Persia.
ABOUT 404 TO 398 BC. AD
The Persians are temporarily expelled from Egypt:
The Egyptian pharaoh Amyrtaeus takes over the reins of the country.
BETWEEN 334 and 323 BC. AD
Greek King Alexander the Great conquers Persia:
The Greeks set fire to Persepolis.
IN 332 B.C. AD
Greek King Alexander the Great conquers Phoenicia.
IN 246 B.C. AD
The Romans attack Carthage:
This is the start of the Punic Wars. The Romans and the Carthaginians clash violently to determine who will control trade in the Mediterranean.
IN 146 B.C. AD
Carthage is finally destroyed by the Romans.
IN 64 B.C. AD
Territories in the Middle East are conquered by the Romans.
Learn about the Late Period in Egypt, the time from the Greeks to the Romans in Egypt and the Egyptians during antiquity.
Learn about the Persian and Peloponnesian Wars in Greece and the Greeks during antiquity.
Learn more about the Romans during antiquity.