The Persians are the first of the great powers
to conquer and control all of modern day Afghanistan. Their rule lasts
for over 200 years.
550-530 BC
Cyrus II the Great: Initiates Persian control over the area
through a series of conquests over modern day Northeastern Iran, Turkmenistan
and Afghanistan .
530-521 BC
Cambises (son)
522-485 BC
Darius I the Great: Consolidates Persian control over the
area by creating satrapies of Aria (Herat), Bactria (Balkh), Sattagydia
(Ghazni to the Indus River), Arachosia (Kadahar) and Drangiana (Seistan).
485-465 BC
Xerxes I (son).
465-424 BC
Artaxerxes I Longimano: The Persian Empire starts its decline.
424 BC
Xerxes II: killed by his brother, Sogdiano.
424 BC
Sogdiano (brother): killed by his brother Darius II.
424-404 BC
Darius II Noto (brother).
404-358 BC
Artaxerxes IIMnenom (son): Cyrus the Young (brother)
tries to seize the throne but is stopped at the Battle of Cunaja in
401.
358-338 BC
Artaxerxes III Oro
338-336 BC
Arses
336-330 BC
Darius III: Defeated by Alexander at Issus (Turkey) and Gaugamela
(Iraq) and killed by his Baktrian troops while fleeing from Alexander
near the Caspian Gates (Iran). His mother cedes the throne to the
invading Greeks.
330 BC
Bessos: Satrap of Baktria under Persian rule. He seizes the
throne (Mitra-royal crown) after his men murder Darius as they flee
from Alexander near the Caspian Gates. He is captured and killed by
the Greeks in Bactria in 329.