Edd Hodsdon

Stoicism advocates living a virtuous life to achieve happiness. Famous Stoics include Zeno of Citium and Roman Emperor Marcus Aurelius.

At its height, the Persian Empire spanned an area from the Hindu Kush to Asia Minor. Across this vast landscape, the Achaemenid Empire boasted several great cities like Persepolis.

Western thought owes much to ancient Greek philosophers, such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. Here are eleven Greek philosophers you should know.

All of the ancient world's greatest civilizations boasted a mighty metropolis. These ancient cities rose and fell with powerful empires and left legendary legacies that still endure today.

Throughout its history, the Achaemenid Empire amassed several deadly enemies. This included rival kings, Scythian warlords, Greek generals, and finally Alexander the Great, who defeated the Persian Empire.

King Xerxes I is often depicted as a tyrant. Infamous for his invasion of Greece and with a reign marred by revolts, he started the Achaemenid Empire's decline.

Darius the Great is one of the most famous kings of the Achaemenid Empire. He conquered new lands and overhauled Persia's infrastructure and economy, ushering in a golden age.