DARIUS I THE GREAT
550 BC - 486 BC

Darius was king of Persia from 522 BC - 486 BC.

His family was the Achaemenid Dynasty.

When Darius wasn't busy with his many building projects, he tried to conquer Greece. He put down the Ionian Revolt.

In 493 BC, Darius seized Thracian Chersonese from Miltiades, who would pay him back for this later.

In 490 BC, Miltiades found an opportunity to settle scores. During the Greco-Persian Wars, Darius' army lost the Battle of Marathon.

Shortly after the defeat at Marathon, Darius prepared for a new expedition against Greece. In 487 BC, Egypt revolts from the Persians, and delays Darius' new Greek campaign.

In 486 BC, Darius dies and his son Xerxes I the Great becomes King of Persia.

DARIUS' TRIVIA
Darius was the one who authored the inscriptions on the Behistun Rock.

DARIUS' Family
Darius' father was Hystaspes.

Darius' wife was Atossa. Xerxes I the Great was their son.

Darius' son-in-law was Mardonius.

And here is a map of the Persian Empire about 500 BC

MAP OF THE PERSIAN EMPIRE
Click to enlarge