Achaemenid eastern satrapies

Achaemenid eastern satrapies was an empire in Afghanistan and the northwest (South Asia) that lasted from c. 535 to 330 BCE, about 205 years. Its people spoke Iranian languages (Median, Persian, Parthian, Scythian, Sogdian, Pashto, Kurdish).

Cyrus the Great and Darius I annexed Bactria, Arachosia, Gandhara and Hindush, which paid tribute in gold dust. Alexander of Macedon conquered them between 330 and 326 BCE.

See Achaemenid eastern satrapies on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates

c. 535 to 330 BCE

Duration

205 years

Type

Empire

Region

Afghanistan and the northwest, South Asia

Language family

Iranian

Capital

Bactra (satrapal seat), ruled from Persepolis and Susa

Events in South Asia during its time

• 483 BCE Death of the Buddha

Neighbours in South Asia

• Anuradhapura Kingdom 377 BCE to 1017 CE
• Kuru Kingdom c. 1200 to 500 BCE
• Magadha (Haryanka dynasty) c. 544 to 413 BCE
• Nanda Empire c. 345 to 322 BCE
• Panchala c. 1100 to 350 BCE
• Avanti c. 600 to 350 BCE
• Vajji confederacy c. 700 to 468 BCE
• Kosala c. 700 to 475 BCE
• Shakya republic c. 650 to 480 BCE
• Gandhara c. 600 to 518 BCE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

• Carthage c. 814 to 146 BCE, North and West Africa
• Roman Republic 509 to 27 BCE, Europe
• Greek city-states c. 800 to 338 BCE, Europe
• Achaemenid Empire 550 to 330 BCE, Middle East
• Athens 508 to 322 BCE, Europe
• Empire of Alexander the Great 334 to 312 BCE, Middle East
• Empire of Alexander the Great 336 to 323 BCE, Europe

Questions