550-330 BC - Achaemenid dynasty rules the first Persian Empire. At its greatest extent under Darius I stretches from the Aegean Sea and Libya to the Indus Valley.
9th century - Emergence of modern Persian language, written using a form of Arabic script.
1220 - Mongol forces of Genghis Khan overrun Persia, which becomes part of the Ilkhanate, ruled by descendants of Genghis' grandson Hulagu.
1501 - With the support of Shia Qizilbash warrior tribes, Shah Ismail I becomes first rulof Islamic Safavid dynasty; Shia Islam declared state religion.
1571-1629 Apogee of the Safavid Empire under Shah Abbas I, who reforms the army, sidelines the Qizilbash and establishes first diplomatic links with western Europe.
1794 - Mohammad Khan Qajar founds the Qajar dynasty, restoring stability to Iran after half a century.
1828 - Iran cedes control of Caucasus to Russia after second Russo-Persian war
