The government of ancient Persia was based on an efficient bureaucracy which combined the centralization of power with the decentralization of administration. The Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) founded by Cyrus the Great (r. c. 550-530 BCE) is sometimes claimed to have invented this form of government but actually drew on earlier models of Akkadian and Assyrian administration.
More about: Ancient Persian GovernmentCelebrate Our Anniversary with Trivia!
Join us on August 23 for a free virtual trivia party featuring questions about ancient civilizations, U.S. history, unusual historical facts, pop culture, and more.
$641 / $5000
Definition
Timeline
-
c. 550 BCE - 530 BCEReign of Cyrus the Great in which he borrows from earlier empires to form government model for Achaemenid Empire.
-
522 BCE - 486 BCEReign of Darius I The Great; model of Achaemenid Empire's government is revised and refined.
-
312 BCE - 63 BCESeleucid Empire adopts the model of the Persian Achaemenid Empire's government.
-
247 BCE - 224 CEParthian Empire adopts Persian model of government with some modifications.
-
224 CE - 651 CESassanian Empire adopts Persian model of government but bases it on religion of Zoroastrianism.
