Cyrus (557-530 B.C.E)
Cyrus overthrew three great empires, Babylonians, Medes, and Lydians. He also united most of the ancient Middle East into one state extending from India to the Mediterranean Sea. Cyrus was a politician as well as a conqueror. He presented himself as liberator of Babylon, revealing the people of an unpopular king, and he is received as such. He makes a point of respecting the religions and culture cultures of his conquered lands. He even allows the Jews to return from their Babylonian captivity to Jerusalem, and encourages the rebuilding of their Temple.
Cyrus dies in 530 B.C.E
Cyrus dies in 530 B.C.E
Darious ( 522-486 B.C.E)
Darious established a tax-collection system that were collected by satrapies who were in charge of the empires districts. Due to Persia's enormous size Darious developed a network of spies he called the "Eyes and Ears of the King" by doing this he was able to keep control of all the districts. As Persia expanded Darious allowed locals to keep customs and religions and encouraged Persians to intermarry and mix cultures. Darious also built a system of roads which are still used today. These roads allowed for the establishment of a complex postal system that allowed for easier trade and communication.
Xerxes I (486-465 B.C.E)
Xerxes was in charge when the Persian's lost the Persian wars for good when assembled a vast army to invade Greece to avenge the lost of the marathon battle. This was an embarrassing loss because the battle which ended with 300 Spartan warriors defying the entire Persian army in a last battle to the death. This caused the start of Persia's decline.