71: From the book: HISTORY OF THE GREATEST LIES 16 WORLD EMPIRE BC In ancient Mesopotamia, there was a vast Persian Empire, occupied territories on three continents. From modern Afghanistan and Pakistan in Asia, the Balkan Peninsula of Thrace and Macedonia, Egypt, the countries of the Middle East, and the Arabian Peninsula. Alexander the Great, in 334 BC, began the defeat of the Persian Empire by 330 BC. Captured the most important cities of Persia, Susa, and Persepolis. Alexander the Great conquered the Middle East and Egypt. He was met in Jerusalem by the temple servants, led by the high priest Yaddua, who blessed the commander. After the death of Alexander the Great, his possessions were divided by diadochi (generals). The eastern lands of the former Achaemenid (Persian) Empire and the Middle East were occupied by the Seleucids, bringing with them Hellenistic culture. The Greek language and the Greco-Macedonian customs were planted. The Ptolemaic dynasty ruled over an empire in Egypt. The Ptolemaic family ruled Egypt until the Roman conquests in 30 BC. The city of Alexandria became the capital of Greek culture and trade. The Ptolemies adopted the title of pharaohs.