Why did the Persian Empire decline?

During Xerxes' reign, the Persian Empire declined. Although the empire continued for more than a century, it grew weaker as it constantly faced conspiracies, assassinations, and revolts by the people who were burdened with heavy taxes. Alexander the Great defeated King Darius III and the Persian army in 330 B.C. read more

Reasons for its decline and fall After the death of Darius, his son Xerxes ruled until 465 B.C. Xerxes was a cruel but weak king who was also defeated by the Greeks in the Persian Wars. During Xerxes’ reign, the Persian Empire declined. read more

Most of the credit of the rise of the Persian Empire was due to the first Achaemenid Emperor, Cyrus the Great. He founded Persia after he united the Medes and the Persians to build a great Empire. He came to power in 559 BC and thanks to his military and political genius ruled the largest empire in the ancient world. read more

The Fall (c.464-330 BCE) The empire lacked a strong rule after the death of Xerxes (486-464 BCE). This led to internal commotion, fight for power and infamous revolts. These wars and revolts led to turmoil in the Persian economy. The March of Ten Thousand, however, exposed the weakness of the Persian Empire. read more