TheAncient Persian Empire, orAchaemenid Empire, flourished from its inception by Cyrus I around 600 BCE to its collapse at the hands of Alexander the Great in circa 400 BCE. During the height of the empire's power, it was known for establishing a benign dominance over vast territories and ...
Sogdiana, ancient country of Central Asia centring on the fertile valley of the Zeravshan River, in modern Uzbekistan. Excavations have shown that Sogdiana was probably settled between 1000 and 500 bc and that it then passed under Achaemenian rule. It wa