Darius I

Achaemenid organiser-emperor who gave the Persian Empire its roads, satrapies and inscriptions.

Core Principles & Analysis

• Built the Royal Road from Sardis to Susa, 2,700 kilometres of imperial post.
• The Behistun inscription, carved in three scripts, became the key to reading cuneiform.
• His invasion of Greece ended at Marathon in 490 BC.

Specifications & Metrics

• ERA: c. 550 – 486 BC