WAS the Persian Empire cowardly

Not at all. They were very bold and ambitious. They were brave enough to challenge the world and create a massive empire. In the Achaemenid dynasty, they conquered most of the known world. In the Parthian and Sassanid dynasties, they crushed the invading Roman armies. In the Afsharid dynasty, they fought the Russians, Armenians, Ottomans, Arabs, Portugeuse, Spanish, Hindus, Afghans, and Uzebeks all at the same time.