You’ve likely heard of many mighty empires that once ruled the world. From the Aztecs to the Greeks, Romans, Mongols, Qin, and Egyptians, these peoples controlled vast areas of land and held powerful positions in history.
But there is another famous empire, often overlooked and overshadowed by the others. This one was the greatest of its time, spanning several continents, peoples, and religions. It wasn’t perfect, but it was magnificent.
Founded in 550 B.C.E. by Cyrus the Great, the Achaemenid (uh-KEE-muh-nid) Empire was the largest of its time and paved the way for the superpowers that followed. And while the Achaemenids ruled much of the world (some estimates say 44% of the world’s population was once under Persian rule), the rulers, or satraps (SAY-traps), were able to govern specific areas and maintain the culture and customs of its people.
But what really sets the Achaemenids apart is the way they treated the people they conquered.
In exchange for loyalty to the king, people could keep their cultures, languages, traditions, and religions. This was very different from how other empires would later treat conquered peoples.
Since the empire spanned several countries and continents, it was divided into satrapies (SAY-trap-eez), or territories, each governed by a satrap. Appointed by the king, these men would rule for life and were in charge of keeping order, building a local military force, collecting taxes, and paying tribute to the empire.
In order to keep the in line, the king also appointed a military commander to ensure that the satrap was not abusing power.
What truly makes the Achaemenid Empire stand out, however, is how it paved the way for future empires.
Under Cyrus the Great, the first organized postal service was established, making it easier for people from across the empire to communicate. The Persians also created pleasure gardens with vast irrigation networks and lush greenery despite the natural heat.
They maintained an organized system for keeping records, providing valuable information for modern historians. The Achaemenids also allowed women to hold positions of power, something unheard of in later empires around the world.
Above all, the Persians valued beauty.
From the architecture to clothing, the Achaemenids saw artistry as a natural right rather than a privilege.
While no empire is perfect, the Achaemenid Empire did a remarkable job of creating a lasting legacy.