Character

• Darius


  Herodotus tells story on how Darius formed group and killed people in order to become king → already showing leadership skills and what he is capable of
• Darius

  Behistun Inscription says that Darius was the magnus that pretended to be Cambysesʼ brother Bardiya (he is Gaumata)
• Herodotusʼ account matches the one of the Behistun Inscription
• Darius


  Describes himself as King of Persia, Cyrus/Cambyses called themselves King of Anshan
• Darius links himself and Cyrus


  Both men descended from founder of Royal family Achaemenes, Darius married 2 of Cyrusʼs daughters
• Darius


  Introduced God Ahuramazda
• Darius the Great


  • Made rules → divided empire into provinces / satrapies with a satrap in charge of each one
• Building Projects

  1. Established new capital 25 miles away form Pasargadae known as Persepolis

  2. Sculptures of the different empires within the Persian Empire wearing ceremonial dress with a gift for the King however not bowing/kneeling showing how there is partnership in the Empire

  3. The royal road and the systems connected with it

  4. The construction of Persepolis, including the nature and purpose of the apadana, terrace and reliefs

  5. The rebuilding of Susa, including the Apadana, Royal City and Acropolis

  6. The nature and purpose of the canal linking the Nile and the Red Sea

  7. The bridges constructed to support the invasion of Scythia
• Darius' Conquests

  • Indus Valley
  • Thrace
  • Skudra
  • Macedon
  • Samos
  • Aegean Greeks
• Behistun Inscription


  To legitimise his reign, To show his power, To show that he was blessed by Auramazda Ahura Mazda), Proof of crushing rebellion/liar kings, To show off his conquests
• Demaratus


  Former Spartan king who acted as adviser to Darius and Xerxes
• Darius as leader

  • Very thorough suppression of his enemies, as demonstrated in the destruction of Babylonʼs walls
  • Ruthlessness in dealings with Babylonian rebels by killing the leaders ensures that there are no possible future opponents in the city
  • Took a longer term view by allowing the surviving Babylonians to stay in the city, thus showing his ability to create political support
  • Peace-making approach regarding the future by ensuring that the dead Babylonian women were replaced
• Crushing of the 'liar kingsʼ to win the throne demonstrates his abilities as a leader in a complex political situation
• The vengeful attack on Athens


  Linked to their aid for the Ionian revolt might raise questions about the wisdom of some of his decisions
• His attack on Scythia


  Might raise questions about the wisdom of some of his decisions
• Darius is easily led → influenced by wife easily / Greek doctor → could not be, he could already be planning a conquest and his wife, Atossaʼs views were an 'echoʼ of what his plan
• Darius was an arrogant ruler → decided to 'build a bridge from our continent to the next.ʼ
• Darius was respectful to other cultures