The book explores the history of the powerful clan of Persians and Medes, subjects of the empire, the center of which was the palace of Persepolis. The author presents an impressive panorama of the mature Achaemenid civilization - the system of satrapies, religion and conquest, the heyday and fall of the empire. The features of the development of art and architecture of the Iranian state, the evolution of luristan bronzes and other metal products are revealed.