521-486 B.C.E.
King Of Persia

The Persians. The Persians were a cattle-herding group who moved from Central Asia into Iran at the end of the second millennium B.C.E. and formed an independent political unit following the collapse of Elamite power in the mid-seventh century B.C.E. They spoke Old Persian, a member of the Indo-European language family. The founder of the Persian Empire was Cyrus II (the Great), who, after achieving dominance in Iran, conquered Babylon in 539 B.C.E. Darius I, a member of the Achaemenid royal family in Iran, came to power, under circumstances that remain unclear, following the death of Cyrus's son Cambyses II on his return from his successful conquest of Egypt. Darius's ascent to the throne was greeted by widespread rebellion, which he ruthlessly crushed.

Empire. With his own house in order, Darius began a series of...