Sardaranian Empire

Sardaranian Empire Xšāça
841 BCE–Around 250 BCE
Religion	Ancient Erani cults, Mythraism, Zoroastrianism, monotheistic cults
Demonym(s)	Sardaranian
Government	Monarchy
Shahanshah
• 841 - 826 BCE	Sardaran the Great
Historical era	Antiquity
• Established	841 BCE
• Conquered	Around 250 BCE
Currency	Daric

The Sardaranian Empire was an ancient Erani empire based in present-day eastern Mansuriyyah, founded by Sardaran the Great. Ranging at its peak from the XXX to XXX, covering most of central and south Siduri. Incorporating various peoples of different origins and faiths, it is notable for its successful model of a centralized, bureaucratic administration through satraps under the Shahanshah, for building infrastructure such as road systems and a postal system, the use of an official language across its territories, and the development of civil services and a professional army. The empire’s successes inspired similar systems in later empires such as the Makedonian.

The term Sardaranian comes from Old Erani Sardaran, which means Commander-in-Chief. It refers to the name of the founder of the dynasty, who lead a successful revolt against Assinari overlords in the 9th century BCE. Sardaranians frequently used the term Khshacha, meaning “The Empire”, to refer to their multinational state.

Eranis first settled in eastern Mansuriyyah in the 2nd century BCE, during the Erani expansion. Following the end of their empire, Erani settlers formed a number of small kingdoms, many of which fell under Assinari control around the year 1000 BCE. In the year 841 BCE, an alliance of Erani vassal kingdoms led by Sardaran put an end to Assinari dominance. The newfound alliance captured Marad in 837 BCE, which resulted in the eventual collapse of the Assinari Empire by 834 BCE.