The Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire, was one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world. It was founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BCE and lasted until it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 330 BCE.

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire and a renowned conqueror and statesman. He lived in the 6th century BCE and ruled from 559 to 530 BCE. Cyrus was born in the province of Parsa (modern-day Fars) in southwestern Iran and was the son of the Persian king Cambyses I.