Definition: Darius (558? - 486/485 B.C.) was an Achaemenid King and empire builder who divided the Persian Empire into 20 satrapies. Darius I was responsible for the capital at Persepolis and for many other building projects, including roads through his empire.
Darius I is known as Darius the Great. He ruled probably from 522-486/485. He and his son Xerxes are associated with the Greco-Persian or Persian Wars.
Go to Other Ancient / Classical History Glossary pages beginning with the letter
a | b | c | d | e | f | g | h | i | j | k | l | m | n | o | p | q | r | s | t | u | v | wxyzPronunciation: /də'raɪ.əs/ /'dæ.ri.əs/
Examples:
The last king of the Achaemenid Dynasty was Darius III, who ruled from 336 - 330 B.C. Darius III was a descendant of Darius II (ruled 423-405 B.C.), who was a descendant of Darius I.


