1. Media: Cyrus initially united the Persian tribes and conquered the neighboring kingdom of Media, which was ruled by his maternal grandfather, Astyages. This victory brought Media under Persian control, making Cyrus the ruler of both Persia and Media.
2. Lydia: After conquering Media, Cyrus turned his attention to Lydia, a powerful kingdom in western Asia Minor. In the Battle of Thymbra in 547 BC, Cyrus defeated Croesus, the Lydian king, and annexed Lydia into the Persian Empire.
3. Ionia: Following the conquest of Lydia, Cyrus incorporated the Greek city-states of Ionia, which were located along the western coast of Asia Minor, into the Persian Empire. These city-states became part of the satrapy (province) of Ionia.
4. Babylonia: In 539 BC, Cyrus launched a campaign against Babylonia, which was ruled by King Nabonidus. The Persian army captured Babylon without much resistance, and Cyrus claimed the title of "King of Babylon." With this victory, the wealthy and influential Babylonian empire fell to the Persians.
5. Parts of Central Asia: Cyrus also extended the Persian Empire's control into Central Asia, conquering territories such as Bactria, Sogdiana, and parts of modern-day Afghanistan and Tajikistan.
These conquests significantly expanded the Persian Empire's boundaries, making it one of the largest empires of the ancient world. Cyrus's military prowess and diplomatic skills played a crucial role in establishing the Persian Empire as a dominant force in the Middle East and beyond.