Illustration created for this project
Darius
Son of Xerxes and Vashti, in the Babylonian exile and the return. Named in scripture at Daniel 5:31.
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 2
Archaeology — physical evidence · 1
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Life, role & deeds
BibleHe confirmed Cyrus's decree and ordered the Temple rebuilt at royal expense; it was finished in his sixth year.
Ezra 6:1–15
Phillip Maiwald (Nikopol) — CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
ArchaeologyDarius I is among the best-attested kings of antiquity — the trilingual Behistun Inscription proclaims his rise, and he raised the great palaces of Persepolis and Susa.
Behistun (Bisitun) trilingual royal inscription DB (Old Persian/Elamite/Babylonian), Kermanshah, Iran, copied and deciphered by H. C. Rawlinson (Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society, 1846–1851); Persepolis (Takht-e Jamshid) terrace and the Susa foundation charter (DSf)
BibleThe prophets Haggai and Zechariah spurred the work on 'the second year of Darius the king'.
Haggai 1:1; Ezra 5:1
↳
Haggai · Zerubbabel
Livioandronico2013 — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersHerodotus gives a full account of Darius's seizure of the throne and the ordering of his vast empire.
Herodotus, Histories 3.61–97 (the seizure of the throne after the false Smerdis and the constitutional debate, and the organization of the satrapies and tribute)