Achaemenid dynasty

The Achaemenid dynasty (Greek: Ἀχαιμενίδαι; Achaimenídai, in Old Persian Hakhāmanišiya; Persian: دودمان هخامنشی‎)[1] was an ancient Persian royal house. They were the ruling dynasty of Achaemenid Empire from about 700 to 330 BC.[2]

House of Achaemenes
Falcon Standard
CountryPersis
Founded730 BC
FounderAchaemenes
Final rulerDarius III
Titles
Estate(s)Persian Empire
Anshan
Parsumash
Dissolution330 BC
Cadet branchesKingdom of Pontus (Mithridatic dynasty)
Kingdom of Cappadocia (Ariarathid dynasty) Kingdom of Armenia (Orontid dynasty)

The rulers from the Achaemenid dynasty, starting with Cambyses II, who conquered Egypt, the historian Manetho placed as pharaohs in the Twenty-seventh Dynasty of Egypt.[3][4]

Origins

The history of the Achaemenid dynasty is mainly known thanks to Greek historians as Herodotus, Ctesias and Xenophon, tales of Old Testament books, and native Iranian sources. According to Herodotus, Achaemenids were a clan from the tribe of the Pasargadae and probably settled surrounding the sites of Pasargadae. They possibly ruled over other Persian tribes in the 9th century B.C.

Darius traced his genealogy to Achaemenes, an unknown lineage named after Haxāmaniš. However, there's no evidence about a king called Achaemenes.[5]

Dynasty

Kingship was hereditary within the Achaemenid dynasty. The last element of the King's title was always "an Achaemenid". Succession was designated by the King (usually the first-born son). From Darius I to Artaxerxes II, it was usual a synarchy between the father and the son.[5]

Achaemenid rulers
KingReign (BC)Comments
Achaemenes730–650 BCFounder of the Achaemenid dynasty and first King of Persia.
Teispes650–625 BC
Cyrus I625–580 BC
Cambyses I580–559 BC
Cyrus II559–530 BCCyrus the Great was the most notable ancient Persian king and one of the most celebrated strategists and rulers of all time. Cyrus at the height of his reign was simultaneously King of Persia, King of Babylon, King of Media and "King of the Four Corners of the World".
Cambyses II530–522 BCConquered Egypt at the Battle of Pelusium, thus adding Pharaoh of Egypt to the titles of Persian kings.
Smerdis522 BCMight have been an imposter named Gaumata during his short reign.
Darius I522–486 BCBrought the empire to its greatest extent; launched initial foray into Greece.
Xerxes I486–465 BCLaunched failed invasion of Greece.
Artaxerxes I465–424 BC
Xerxes II424 BC
Sogdianus424–423 BC
Darius II423–404 BC
Artaxerxes II404–358 BCPersia loses Egypt.
Artaxerxes III358–338 BCPersia regains Egypt.
Artaxerxes IV338–336 BC
Darius III336–330 BCDefeated by Alexander of Macedon; Persia conquered; dynasty falls.
Artaxerxes V 330–329 BC Attempted to lead resistance against Alexander; captured and executed.

Family tree
Achaemenes
King of Persia[*]
705–675
Teispes
King of Persia
675–640
Ariaramnes
Prince[*]
Cyrus I
King of Persia
640–600
Arsames
Prince[*]
Cambyses I
King of Persia
600–559
Hystaspes
Prince[*]
Cyrus the Great (Cyrus II)
King of Persia
559–530/28
Darius the Great (Darius I)
King of Persia
522–486
Atossa
Princess
Cambyses II
King of Persia
530–522
Smerdis (Bardiya)
Prince (imposter Gaumata ruled as Smerdis[*])
522
Artystone
Princess
Xerxes the Great (Xerxes I)
King of Persia
485–465
Artaxerxes I
King of Persia
465–424
Xerxes II
King of Persia
424
Sogdianus
King of Persia
424–423
Darius II
King of Persia
423–404
Arsites
Prince
Parysatis
Princess
Bagapaios
Prince
Artaxerxes II
King of Persia
404–358
Amestris
Princess
Cyrus the Younger
Prince
Cyrus (IV)
Prince
Ostanes
Prince
Artaxerxes III
King of Persia
358–338
Ocha
Prince
Rodrogune
Princess
Apama
Princess
Sisygambis
Princess
Arsames (II)
Prince
Artaxerxes IV
King of Persia
338–336
Parysatis (II)
Princess
Darius III
King of Persia
336–330
Oxathres
Prince
Artaxerxes V
King of Persia
330–329
Stateira II
Princess
Alexander the Great (Alexander III)
King of Macedon and Persia
329–323

See also

References
  1. Kuhrt & Sancisi-Weerdenburg 2006.
  2. "ACHAEMENID DYNASTY". www.iranicaonline.org. Archived from the original on 29 April 2011. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  3. Bresciani, Edda (1998). "EGYPT i. Persians in Egypt in the Achaemenid period". Encyclopaedia Iranica, Vol VIII, Fasc. 3. pp. 247–249.
  4. Eusebius. Chronicle. p. 149.
  5. "ACHAEMENID DYNASTY – Encyclopaedia Iranica". iranicaonline.org. Retrieved 2020-11-13.

Sources
  • Kuhrt, Amélie; Sancisi-Weerdenburg, Helen (2006). "Achaemenids". In Salazar, Christine F.; Landfester, Manfred; Gentry, Francis G. (eds.). Brill’s New Pauly. Brill Online.
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