In southern Iran, the first known Persian Empire started around 3000 BC. People called the Elamites settled in the area. The capitol of the Elam was called Susa.
The Medes and Persians were nomad tribes who wondered into Persia. The Medes created a civilization on the Persian Plateau. Persians soon took over the Medes lead by a man named Cyrus the Great around 550 BC. He soon seized the empire overthrowing Babylonia, kingdom of Lydia which is western Turkey today, most of Greek colonies in Ionia, and some parts of the Middle East. He also conquered Palestine, freed the Jews there, and he paid for rebuilding their temple.
After reaching great accomplishments in math, literature and science, he named the empire the Achaemenid Empire after his ancestor.
After his death his son Cambyses took over. Cambyses conquered Egypt in 550 BC. In the journey back home he died, and a civil war broke out in Persia for control.
A noble called Darius the first (Darius I) gained control 522 BC. The empire no longer was Achaemenid. Darius I took great interest in building and architect, his capitol Persepolis still lies a great mystery(learn more about it from the video). He also expanded the country to southeastern Europe and what is now southern Pakistan.
The economy under his rule was prosperous. He regulated tax, and divided his empire into small states called satrapies, governed by satraps. Who had simple lives like normal merchants. After his defeat by Athens’s forces, Darius planned for another attack, but he died before he could do that. His son Xerxes took on his father's dream of conquering Greece. Xerxes lead a great army into Greece defeating forces of Sparta and other cities. Xerxes soon died. Alexander the great then came in and added Persia to his great kingdom.
The economy under his rule was prosperous. He regulated tax, and divided his empire into small states called satrapies, governed by satraps. Who had simple lives like normal merchants. After his defeat by Athens’s forces, Darius planned for another attack, but he died before he could do that. His son Xerxes took on his father's dream of conquering Greece. Xerxes lead a great army into Greece defeating forces of Sparta and other cities. Xerxes soon died. Alexander the great then came in and added Persia to his great kingdom.