Darius I (Old Persian: 𐎭𐎠𐎼𐎹𐎺𐎢𐏁 Dārayavaʰuš; c. 550 – 486 BCE), commonly known as Darius the Great, was the third King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from 522 BCE until his death in 486 BCE. Darius I, king of Persia in 522–486 BC, one of the greatest rulers of the Achaemenid dynasty, who was noted for his administrative genius and for his building projects.

Understanding the Context

Darius I (l. c. 550-486 BCE, r. 522-486 BCE), also known as Darius the Great, was the third Persian King of the Achaemenid Empire.

Key Insights

His reign lasted 36 years, from 522 to 486 BCE; during this time the Persian Empire reached its peak. Darius II is most likely the same as Darius the Persian, named in Nehemiah 12:22, during whose reign the names of the priests were recorded in Jerusalem. He ruled for 19 years, continuing Persia’s control over the province of Yehud (Judah) in the satrapy of “Beyond-the-River.” Darius ruled over some 50 million people and the largest empire that the world had known. He did much to promote trade and commerce. He developed the infrastructure of the empire by constructing canals, underground waterways, and roads.

Final Thoughts

Who was Darius in the Bible? There are three references to rulers named Darius in the Bible. The first, chronologically, occurs in the book of Daniel, where the ruler is called Darius the Mede (Daniel 6:1). Darius the Great is one of the most famous kings of the Achaemenid Empire. He conquered new lands and overhauled Persia's infrastructure and economy, ushering in a golden age. A mighty leader and administrative genius, Darius the Great ruled the Achaemenid Empire at the height of its powers.

Darius the Great: 9 Facts About The King Of Kings - TheCollector