The Achaemenid Persian Empire first expanded under the leadership of Cyrus the Great, who utilized a strategy of religious and cultural toleration to maintain order.
Darius the Great further expanded the empire and introduced reforms such as standard currency and satraps—provincial governors—to rule over smaller regions of the empire on his behalf.
The increased wealth and power of the empire allowed Darius to construct a brand new capital city, called Persepolis.
The Achaemenid Empire fell when it was conquered by Alexander the Great.
