From century VIII a. a., the Medes peoples (Aryans of Central Asia) constructed a great kingdom, by means of an agile, organized and strong army. In this way, the Medes subjugated several peoples of the Iranian plateau, including the Persians.
The submission of the Persians lasted until the year of 550 a. a., when the Persian prince Ciro, Great (590-529 a. C.), led a revolt against the fears. Cyrus, coming out victorious from the battle, started to lead the Persians and control all the peoples of the Iranian plateau, thus forming the Persian Empire.
The new sovereign, Ciro, initiated a policy of territorial expansion with the aim of forming a great empire, because he wanted to obtain wealth and solve the problems caused by the increase populational. In this way, Cyrus the Great was able to conquer the territories of Mesopotamia, all of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey) and territories east of Persia (western part of India). For all these achievements, Cyrus was considered one of the great military strategists of antiquity.
In 530 BC C., the Persian Empire extended from the eastern Mediterranean Sea to the Indus River (river that cuts through present-day China, India and Pakistan in Asia). To demonstrate the territorial extent of the Persian Empire, note that Cyrus' conquests encompassed the following countries Current: Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Israel, Egypt, Turkey, Kuwait, Afghanistan, part of Pakistan, part of Greece and Libya.
Cyrus' government always treated the dominated peoples well, allowing them freedom of action, employment and religion, but Cyrus forced them to serve the Persian army and pay tribute. In this way, he strengthened his army and collected tribute for the maintenance of his soldiers. One of the great characteristics of Emperor Cyrus and the Persians was the strength they had as warriors.
Ciro died in battle in the year of 530 a. a., giving rise to his successors, Cambyses and Darius I, who maintained their policy of territorial expansion.
Leandro Carvalho
Master in History
Source: Brazil School - https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/historiag/ciro-imperio-persa.htm