<P> Literature, art and architecture were flourished in Safavid era once again and it is often cited as the "rebirth of the Persian Empire". Safavids also announced Shia Islam as the official religion in the empire versus the Sunni Islam in the neighbouring Ottoman Empire . </P> <Ul> <Li> Achaemenid Empire (550--330 BC) </Li> <Li> Sasanian Empire (224--651) </Li> <Li> Safavid dynasty (1501--1736) </Li> <Li> Afsharid dynasty (1736--1796) </Li> <Li> Qajar dynasty (1785--1925) </Li> </Ul> <Li> Achaemenid Empire (550--330 BC) </Li> <Li> Sasanian Empire (224--651) </Li>

How many capital cities did the persian empire have