Achaemenid Persian Empire, 550 – 330 BC

List of Kings

  

Throne Name

Lifetime

Reign

Family Relations

Note

Cyrus the Great

600–530 BC

559–530 BC

Son of Cambyses I king of Anshan and Mandana daughter of Astyages

King of Anshan from 559 BC. Killed in battle with Massagetes

Cambyses

?–521 BC

530–522 BC

Son of Cyrus the Great

Died while en route to put down a rebellion.

Bardiya

?–522 BC

522–522 BC

Son of Cyrus the Great (possibly an imposter claiming to be Bardiya)

Killed by Persian aristocrats

Darius I

550–486 BC

522–486 BC

Son of Hystaspes

 

Xerxes I

519–465 BC

485–465 BC

Son of Darius I

Killed

Artaxerxes I

?–424 BC

465–424 BC

Son of Xerxes I

 

Xerxes II

?–424 BC

424–424 BC

Son of Artaxerxes I

Only recognized in Persia itself, killed by Sogdianus

Sogdianus

?–423 BC

424–423 BC

Son of Artaxerxes I

Only recognized in Persia and Elam, killed by Darius II

Darius II

?–404 BC

424–404 BC

Son of Artaxerxes I

 

Artaxerxes II

436–358 BC

404–358 BC

Son of Darius II

 

Artaxerxes III

?–338 BC

358–338 BC

Son of Artaxerxes II

Killed

Artaxerxes IV

?–336 BC

338–336 BC

Son of Artaxerxes III

Killed

Darius III

380–330 BC

336–330 BC

Son of Artaxerxes IV

Killed by Artaxerxes V

Artaxerxes V

?–329 BC

330–329 BC

Probably a descendant of Artaxerxes II

Killed by Alexander III