Achaemenid

noun

Achae·​me·​nid ə-ˈkē-mə-nəd 

plural Achaemenids also Achaemenidae ˌa-kə-ˈme-nə-ˌdē 

: a member of the ruling house of ancient Persia generally considered historically important from the assumption of power by Cyrus the Great (559 b.c.) to the overthrow of Darius III (330 b.c.)

Examples of Achaemenid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Then, in 550 B.C.E., King Cyrus II of Persia overthrew the Medes and expanded Persian territory into what became the Achaemenid Empire. —Debbie Felton, The Conversation, 8 Aug. 2025

The Battle of the Granicus, fought in 334 B.C., was Alexander's first significant victory during his campaign against the Persian Achaemenid Empire. —Newsweek, 21 Dec. 2024

This means that precursors of liberal order can exist in otherwise illiberal systems, including limited religious toleration in Europe after 1648 or broader norms of toleration in the Achaemenid Persian Empire. —Alexander Cooley, Foreign Affairs, 26 Mar. 2021

The roads are not in a uniform condition like ancient Roman roads, except for some of the routes built by the Achaemenid Persian Empire around 550 B.C., which were wide enough for armies to pass and also contained periodic weigh stations. —Sara Novak, Discover Magazine, 25 July 2024

Even Alexander’s later achievement, the invasion and conquest of the Achaemenid Persian empire, was partly his father’s doing. —James Romm, WSJ, 9 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin Achaemenidēs, borrowed from Greek Achaimenídēs, from Achaiménēs (Achaemenes), alleged founder of the dynasty (borrowed from Old Persian Haxāmaniš) + -idēs -id entry 1

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above