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. His reign lasted 36 years, from 522 to 486 BCE; during this time the Persian Empire reached its peak. Darius led military campaigns in Europe, Greece, and even in the Indus valley, conquering lands and expanding his empire. Not only resuming to military prowess, Darius also improved the legal and economic system and conducted impressive construction projects across the Persian Empire.
More about: Darius IDefinition
Timeline
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530 BCEPersia conquers the Indus Valley.
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525 BCE - 404 BCEPersia conquers Egypt.
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522 BCEDarius I (Darius the Great) succeeds to the throne of Persia after the death of Cambyses II.
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522 BCEThe Persian satrapy of Armenia briefly cedes from the Achaemenid Empire but is brought under control by Darius I.
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522 BCE - 486 BCEReign of Darius I, The Great, who commissions the Behistun Inscription to celebrate and provide legitimization for his reign.
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c. 520 BCEDarius I, The Great commissions the Behistun Inscription.
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520 BCEDarius I of Persia fights the Scythians (not very successfully).
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520 BCEDarius of Persia links the Nile and the Red Sea by a canal.
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518 BCEDarius I The Great begins construction of the city of Persepolis.
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c. 515 BCEDarius I moves the capital of Persia from Pasargadae to Persepolis.
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c. 513 BCE - c. 512 BCEDarius I of Persia campaigns against Scythians into European Scythia, past the Danube River, Scythians refuse to fight and Darius is forced to abandon the campaign due to lack of provisions.
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c. 499 BCENaxos is attacked by Darius' Persian forces.
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499 BCE - 493 BCEIonian cities rebel against Persian rule.
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492 BCEDarius I of Persia invades Greece.
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11 Sep 490 BCEA combined force of Greek hoplites defeat the Persians at Marathon.
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486 BCEXerxes succeeds to the throne of Persia after the death of Darius I.
