Darius the Great of Persian Empire

Darius succeeded Cambyses in 522 BC. He was appointed king of Persia with the support of the army.

He regained control of the empire within a short period. Administration under Darius was well organized and beneficial to the empire. He began building programs and even instituted the building the temple in Jerusalem.

Darius embarked on a further period of imperial expansion. Under Darius the Persian Empire reached its largest extent.

He structured an hierarchal system of the military so that all separate military forces from each strap were directly responsible to him.

Other important features from this period include the enhancement of the road system. He introduced a uniform system of weights and measurements throughout the empire to encourage trade and economic activity.

Darius also introduced a unified monetary system, with gold coins recognized as common currency thought the empire and other coins struck by local mints for use in the regions.

Darius went to war with Scythians added north west India to the empire, and consolidated the western frontier adding Thrace and Samos.

During his time Persia controlled an area reaching from northern Africa to Southern Russia and from Asia Minor all the way to India.

Darius I ruled from 522 to 486 BC. Darius was 64 years old when he died and he reigned for 36 years.
Darius the Great of Persian Empire