During The Iron Age Between 590-529 B.c - 1415 Words

During the Iron Age between 590-529 B.C.E., the Assyrian Empire was taking its final footsteps, and breaking down into smaller regional powers, the Egyptians, the Medes, the Lydians, and the New Babylonians (Making Europe 51). Along with these new regional powers, was the kingdom of Persia, which was established around 700 B.C.E., and for the first 150 years of the Persian Kingdom, the Persian Kings were vassals of the Medes (Making Europe 53). In 553 B.C.E., the Persians began to revolt against the Medes and finally defeated them in 550 B.C.E., which marked the beginning of the Persian Empire. In 547 B.C.E. looking to expand commercial activity, the Persians attacked and defeated the kingdom of Lydia, which also gave the Persians control†¦show more content†¦After dreaming that Cyrus would eventually overthrow him, Astyages ordered for Cyrus to be killed, but the Shepherd who was supposed to kill Cyrus decided to raise Cyrus as his own son. In 553 B.C.E., Cyrus revolted aga inst the Medes, and in 550 B.C.E., defeated Astyages and the Medes, becoming the first ruler of the Persian Empire. Looking to expand his empire in 547 B.C.E., Cyrus then attacked Lydia, capturing both Lydia and the Mediterranean coast of Anatolia (Making Europe 53). A few later, in 539 B.C.E., Cyrus ventured into Mesopotamia, capturing Babylon with barely any retaliation. Based upon the respect that Cyrus showed towards the Babylonians, the cities of Syria and Palestine soon respected the authority of Cyrus the Great (Making Europe 54). In 535 B.C.E., Cyrus also displays his religious conciliation of his subject peoples by allowing the Jews to leave Babylon and return home, which first began the Jewish Diaspora. It is evident that Cyrus’ rule over his growing Persian Empire was filled with tolerance and respect towards his subject peoples. After the defeat of the Medes and the beginning of the Persian Empire in 550 B.C.E., Cyrus was looking to expand his empire. According to Kidner, â€Å"the Persians had a great interest in economic development and expanded commercial activity† (53). Cyrus’ goal of economic development was apparent in his capture of Lydia. In 547 B.C.E., the Persians attacked and captured Lydia along with