Darius the Great

Lore & Background

Darius was the eldest of five sons to Hystaspes. His mother is uncertain; modern historians suggest either Rhodogune or Irdabama. According to the Behistun Inscription, his father was satrap of Bactria in 522 BCE. Herodotus records that Darius served as a spearman in the Egyptian campaign of Cambyses II. Before crossing the Araxes, Cyrus the Great had a dream of Darius with wings atop his shoulders standing on the confines of Europe and Asia, which he interpreted as a sign Darius would one day rule the world, leading him to order Hystaspes to watch over his son.

Darius ascended the throne after overthrowing Bardiya (or Smerdis), whom he claimed was an imposter named Gaumata. His account at Behistun states that Cambyses II killed his own brother Bardiya, and a usurper named Gaumata pretended to be Bardiya. Darius, along with six nobles, killed Gaumata in September 522 BCE. Herodotus gives a different account: after Gaumata's assassination, Darius and six nobles debated the form of government, with Darius advocating monarchy. A test involving horses determined the king; Darius's horse neighed first due to a trick by his slave Oebares, and the others recognized him as king.

Reader's Guide

Darius the Great's significance lies in his consolidation and expansion of the Achaemenid Empire at its greatest territorial extent. He quelled rebellions throughout the empire and reorganized it into administrative provinces governed by satraps. He introduced a uniform monetary system, made Aramaic a co-official language alongside Old Persian, improved roads, and standardized weights and measures, centralizing and unifying the empire. His construction projects focused on Susa, Pasargadae, Persepolis, Babylon, and Egypt. The trilingual Behistun Inscription, recording his conquests, became a key source for deciphering Old Persian cuneiform. His career is also known from Greek historiography, particularly for his punitive expedition against Athens and Eretria for their role in the Ionian Revolt. His legacy includes the administrative and linguistic foundations that helped sustain the Achaemenid Empire and the invaluable historical record of the Behistun Inscription.

Did You Know?

• Darius's name in Old Persian means 'he who holds firm the good(ness)'.
• The Behistun Inscription is trilingual, written in Elamite, Old Persian, and Babylonian.
• Darius claimed to be rightful king by the grace of the supreme deity Ahura Mazda.
• Herodotus wrote extensively on Darius, spanning half of Book 3 along with Books 4, 5, and 6 of The Histories.

Notable Quotes (Wikiquote)

"Darius I, or Darius the Great, (c. 550–486 BCE) was the third king of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, who ruled the empire at its peak." — Darius the Great "... This is what I did by the favor of Ahuramazda in one and the same year after that I became king: 19 battles I fought; by the favor of Ahuramazda I smote them and took prisoner 9 kings." — Darius the Great "May Ahuramazda bear me aid, with the gods of the royal house; and may Ahuramazda protect this country from a (hostile) army, from famine, from the Lie!" — Darius the Great