For over 1500 years the land of Anshan occupied a prominent place in the political history of south-western Iran. It would appear that the Kings of Awan of the old Elamite period became the Kings of Anshan and Susa of later dynasties. After the fall of Awan a new Elamite dynasty rose in the district of Simashki which is probably to be located in the region of modern Isfahan. During the last half of the 14th century BC an apparently independent Elamite dynasty reappears suddenly on the historical scene. The reign of Hutelutush-Inshushinak ended with a devastating invasion of Elamite territories by Nebuchadrezzer I of Babylon. The Achaemenians were governing in Anshan/Parsuwash at least a generation before Ashurbanipal commenced his decisive invasion of Elam. Although Achaemenes is usually recognized as eponymous founder of the Achaemenian royal house, it is his son Teispes who is first called 'Great King.

To present the Babylonian evidence, cuneiform texts and archaeological remains, for the Achaemenian rule over the satrapy Babairuš is to write a history of Mesopotamia. To write a history of Mesopotamia during these two hundred years would moreover necessitate the complete and critical utilization of contemporary and later classical sources. The cuneiform evidence of Achaemenian rule not only confirms the sequence of Persian rulers as known from Old Persian inscriptions and from Greek writers, but adds important chronological refinements. The student of Mesopotamian history can also rely on the inscriptions often written or stamped on bricks destined for temples, palaces, city walls, etc. In Mesopotamia as elsewhere historical events have left their imprints on literary creations and, conversely, literary creations have been used for political purposes. This chapter discusses the problems connected with the co-regency of Cyrus and Cambyses. Mesopotamian sources provide very little written evidence for Darius I, apart from the mention of his name in the Uruk kinglist.