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Cyrus the Great was the first leader of Persia. He came into rule in 550 B.C. after he had invaded the Persian tribes territory with his army from Medes. He easily the Persians very quickly, and could've chased them down and killed them. He decided to become the leader of the tribes and bring them together to create the Persian Empire. He was placed as kings and he selected Median and Persian notables to help him with administration. He thought that this will help the Empire strive and grow. Cyrus had formed a Monarchy! After the rule of Cyrus came the rule of Darius I. He helped evolve the government, enforce law, and stimulated the empire's economy and trade. He is known for his extensive expansion of the Persian empire. He added on northwest India, Thrace, and Macedonia. His worst fail was at the Battle of Marathon in 490 B.C. It started with an Ionian revolt. The city-state rebelled and asked for help from the Greek city states. Sparta declined but Athens sent 20 warships. Darius easily stopped the revolts and wanted revenge on Athens. The two sides set up on the Marathon Plateau. Athens sent 10,000 men and occupied the high ground which is a huge advantage. Persia had the low land and brought a lot more with 12,000 - 15,000 men. Neither side wanted to attack so they waited. After nine days Persia decided to attack because they were taking too long. They failed horribly and had to retreat. They would end up winning ten years later because of Darius's son Xerxes at the Battle of Thermopylae. The strongest unit in the Persian empire was the heavy Calvary. They also had a extensive supply of war ships. After Xerces rule the government started to dissipate in 449 B.C. This happened because the following rulers were very weak and revolts broke out. Then comes Alexander the Great who wipes out the persians in 330 B.C. This is the relief of Darius the first king of PERSIA 522 to 486 BCE!!!!!!=D Behind him is his son Xerxes the first. This is a map of the battle of Marathon Sources used: "Battle of Marathon." // World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011 === []  === "The Persian Empire (Overview)." // World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 15 Sept. 2011. [] "Darius I." // World History: Ancient and Medieval Eras //. ABC-CLIO, 2011. Web. 16 Sept. 2011. []://www.planetware.com/map/battle-of-marathon-map-gr-batmar.htm&docid=mqTaS7jeR8--_M&w=700&h=376&ei=j4VzTqzIO8bL0QH0nonTDQ&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=331&vpy=200&dur=133&hovh=164&hovw=306&tx=160&ty=103&page=1&tbnh=104&tbnw=193&start=0&ndsp=13&ved=1t:429,r:1,s:0