Achaemenid


 * Can refer to several things:**
 * The Archaemenid Persian Empire
 * The Archaemenid lineage that served as the ruling family of Persia

__**Why**__:
 * Who**:
 * Established by Cyrus II "the great" after he overthrew the Median Empire
 * Replaced by Cambyses
 * Succeeded by Darius I
 * Succeeded by son, Xerxes
 * Murdered by Artanabus, succeeded by Artaxerxes I
 * What:**
 * Largest empire in history, often considered the wealthiest and most magnificent
 * Also refers to the line started by Cyrus as the royal family of the Achaemenid Persian Empire
 * When**:
 * Lasted from about 560 BC to 330 BC
 * 559BC empire established after the revolt against Medians
 * 530BC Cyrus dies, Cambyses II becomes king, having murdered brother Smerdis
 * 522BC Pseudo-Smerdis attempts to take the throne, Cambyses II dies, cause of death uncertain
 * 522BC Darius I takes the throne, even though he is not of Archaemenid lineage, so he has to assert his legitimacy as King of Persia
 * Where**: The empire stretched from the Mediterranean all the way to central Asia. Spanned three continents, Europe, Asia, and Africa.
 * Big empire, lots of action.
 * Presents a model of a centralized organized government
 * Kept local customs and government in place as much as possible, very tolerant empire.