Naqsh-e Rustam tombs. View of 2500-year-old tombs of ancient Achaemenid kings cut into the cliffs of Naqsh-e Rustam, Iran. The oldest relief found at this ancient necropolis (cemetery) dates from around 1000 BC. The Achaemenid Persian Empire (the world's largest ancient empire) was founded in the 6th century BC by Cyrus the Great and lasted until it's collapse in 330 BC, under the leadership of Alexander the Great.