550 BCE - 330 BCE. The Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, was one of the largest empires in history, stretching from the Middle East to the Indus Valley. Zoroastrianism, the state religion, shaped their understanding of good and evil.Mythological creatures like the Simurgh, a benevolent bird, and Azhdaha, a dragon-like beast, were central to Persian myths. These beings often represented the battle between order and chaos.