<P> At some point in 550 BC, Cyrus rose in rebellion against the Medes (most likely due to their mismanagement of Persis), eventually conquering the Medes and creating the first Persian empire . Cyrus the Great utilized his tactical genius, as well as his understanding of the socio - political conditions governing his territories, to eventually incorporate into the Empire neighbouring Lydia and the Neo-Babylonian Empire, also leading the way for his successor, Cambyses II, to venture into Egypt and defeat the Twenty - sixth Dynasty of Egypt . </P> <P> Cyrus the Great's political acumen was reflected in his management of his newly formed empire, as the Persian Empire became the first to attempt to govern many different ethnic groups on the principle of equal responsibilities and rights for all people, so long as subjects paid their taxes and kept the peace . Additionally, the king agreed not to interfere with the local customs, religions, and trades of its subject states, a unique quality that eventually won Cyrus the support of the Babylonians . This system of management ultimately became an issue for the Persians, as with a larger empire came the need for order and control, leading to expenditure of resources and mobilization of troops to quell local rebellions, and weakening the central power of the king . By the time of Darius III, this disorganization had almost led to a disunited realm . </P> <P> The Persians from whom Cyrus hailed were originally nomadic pastoralists in the western Iranian Plateau and by 850 BC were calling themselves the Parsa and their constantly shifting territory Parsua, for the most part localized around Persis . As Persians gained power, they developed the infrastructure to support their growing influence, including creation of a capital named Pasargadae and an opulent city named Persepolis . </P> <P> Begun during the rule of Darius I "the Great" and completed some 100 years later, Persepolis was a symbol of the empire serving both as a ceremonial centre and a center of government . It had a special set of gradually progressive stairways named "All Countries" around which carved relief decoration depicted scenes of heroism, hunting, natural themes, and presentation of the gifts to the Achaemenid kings by their various subjects, possibly during the spring festival, Nowruz . The core structure was composed of a multitude of square rooms or halls, the biggest of which was called Apadana . Tall, decorated columns welcomed visitors and emphasized the height of the structure . Later on, Darius also utilized Susa and Ecbatana as his governmental centres, developing them to a similar metropolitan status . </P>

Who controlled asia minor and part of the persian empire