The Achaemenids

  • Cyrus the Great of Persia

    King Cyrus the Great

    Founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire

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  • Queen Cassandane, wife of Cyrus the Great of Persia

    Queen Cassandane

    Queen Consort of King Cyrus the Great

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  • General Harpagus of Media, commander of the Persian Army under Cyrus the Great

    General Harpagus

    Median noble and Cyrus the Great’s General in Anatolia

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  • King Astyages of Media, dethroned by Cyrus the Great

    King Astyages of Media

    The grandfather of Cyrus the Great and last King of Media

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  • A portrait of a woman with long, curly gray hair wearing a regal black and gold embroidered dress and ornate jewelry, including a crown and matching earrings and necklace.

    Queen Mandane of Media

    Daughter of Astyages and mother of Cyrus the Great

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  • A man dressed in elaborate medieval armor with detailed gold and black designs, holding a spear and a decorated shield featuring lions.

    Mazares of Media

    Median-born commander under Cyrus the Great

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  • Darius the Great of Persia

    King Darius the Great

    Builder of the largest empire in ancient history

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  • A young woman dressed in traditional, ornate clothing with intricate embroidery, wearing a crown and layered jewelry, against a neutral background.

    Queen Atoussa

    Daughter of Cyrus the Great and wife of Darius the Great

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  • General Megabazus, a high regarded Persian general under Darius the Great

    General Megabazus

    Formidable commander of Darius the Great’s army

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  • King Artaxerxes II, a noble and reformist King of the Achaemenid Empire

    King Artaxerxes II

    Longest reigning King of the Achaemenid dynasty

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  • Queen Parysatis, mother of King Artaxerxes II of Persia

    Queen Parysatis

    Queen consort of Darius II and mother of Artaxerxes II

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  • Pharnabazus II, Persian Soldier, statesman, and Satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia

    Pharnabazus II

    Commander and master of Achaemenid foreign policy

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