The Persian Empire

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The Achaemenid dynasty (550-330 BC) presided over the first and largest world empire in history, stretching from the Babylonians in the east to the Jews and Greeks in the west, with influence reaching the Indian subcontinent. Its vastness contributed to its downfall by Alexander the Great, yet its legacy endures in the development of Judaism, the Old Testament, and classical Greece. Historically, studying Achaemenid history has been challenging due to the diverse origins, languages, and periods of original sources, often leading to reliance on biased Greek and Roman accounts. Am lie Kuhrt offers a groundbreaking collection of key texts that provides a comprehensive and balanced view of the empire, translating from Greek, Old Persian, Akkadian, Hebrew, Aramaic, Egyptian, and Latin. Her selection includes classical writings, the Old Testament, royal inscriptions, administrative documents, and Babylonian historical accounts, alongside archaeological evidence. Each piece is accompanied by a detailed introduction and interpretative guidelines. This monumental collection serves as an essential resource for anyone studying Persian history, from undergraduates to advanced scholars.