MAPPING THE PASTMAP 2.1 The Assyrian and Persian Empires, ca. 1000–500 B.C.E. The Assyrian Empire at its height around 650 B.C.E. included almost all of the old centers of power in the ancient Near East. By 513 B.C.E., however, the Persian Empire was far larger.ANALYZING THE MAP How does the Persian Empire compare in size to the Assyrian? What other differences can you identify between the two?CONNECTIONS Compare this map to Map 1.1. What changes and continuities do you see in centers of power in the ancient Near East?