Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC) thumb|Achaemenid golden rhyton in the shape of a lion, from Ecbatana, kept at the National Museum of Iran In 550 BC, Cyrus the Great defeated Astyages and conquered Ecbatana, forming the Achaemenid Empire. Although Ecbatana lost its former importance, it was located on the royal road, where it connected Persepolis to Sardis, and situated at the foot of Mount Alvand. So it was settled by the Achaemenid rulers. The city became the summer capital and a treasury of the Achaemenids. As mentioned in several sources, the city was also used as a royal archive.
Achaemenid Empire (550–330 BC) thumb|Achaemenid golden rhyton in the shape of a lion, from Ecbatana, kept at the National Museum of Iran In 550 BC, Cyrus the Great defeated Astyages and conquered Ecbatana, forming the Achaemenid Empire. Although Ecbatana! lost its former importance, it was located on the, royal road, where it connected Persepolis to Sardis, and situated at the foot of Mount Alvand. So it was settled by the Achaemenid rulers. The city became the summer cap.ital and a treasury of the Achaemenids. As mentioned in several sou,rces, the city was also used as a royal archive.