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Which lands did Cyrus the Great conquer during his reign?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Map showing the extent of the Achaemenid Empire during the 6th and 5th centuries BC, shaded in light green and spanning from the eastern Mediterranean and Egypt through the Middle East to parts of Central Asia and the Indus Valley. Major regions, cities, and trade routes such as the Royal Road are labeled within the empire's boundaries.
ancient Iran

Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, significantly expanded his domains through both military conquest and diplomacy. His major territorial acquisitions included:

  • The Median Empire: Cyrus rose against his overlord, King Astyages, in 550 BCE, inheriting the Median lands and uniting Persian and Median groups.123
  • Lydia and Asia Minor: Following the defeat of King Croesus in 546 BCE, Cyrus captured the capital of Sardis. This brought the Ionian Greek cities and Cilicia under his control.23
  • Babylonia: In 539 BCE, Cyrus conquered Babylon, which granted him control over Mesopotamia, Syria, and Palestine.23
  • Eastern Frontiers: Cyrus campaigned extensively in Central Asia, extending his influence as far as Sogdiana, where he established the city of Cyreschata.23

By the end of his reign, his empire stretched from the Aegean Sea to the Indus River, making it the largest empire of its time.1