Darius III
Who was Darius III?
Last king of the Achaemenid Empire (r. 336–330 BC)
Biographical data adapted from Wikipedia’s article on Darius III (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Biography
Darius III (c. 380-330 BC) was the last King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from 336 BC until his death in 330 BC. Born in Persis and distantly related to the royal family, he became king during a time of political turmoil and court intrigue. Unlike his predecessor, Artaxerxes IV Arses, who was directly from the royal line, Darius rose to power through court eunuch Bagoas, who had orchestrated the deaths of both Artaxerxes III and his son Arses. Once on the throne, Darius quickly eliminated Bagoas by making him drink his own poison after uncovering a plot against his life.
Darius's reign was defined by the threat of Alexander the Great's invasion, which began in 334 BC. Alexander's conquest was the biggest challenge the Achaemenid Empire had faced in its 200-year history. Despite having vast resources and armies, Darius suffered major defeats at the battles of Granicus, Issus, and Gaugamela. These defeats gradually took away Persian control over Anatolia, the Levant, Egypt, and Mesopotamia. The defeat at Gaugamela in 331 BC effectively ended organized Persian resistance and forced Darius to flee east into the empire's remote areas.
In the last phase of Darius's reign, the Achaemenid Empire's power structures were systematically dismantled. Alexander's forces captured and burned Persepolis in 330 BC, marking the symbolic end of Persian imperial power. As Alexander chased him into Bactria, Darius's support from eastern satraps weakened. He did not die in battle against the Macedonians, but was betrayed by his own satrap Bessus of Bactria, who killed him in an attempt to gain favor with Alexander or perhaps to lead Persian resistance. This disgraceful end marked the conclusion of over 200 years of Achaemenid rule and the start of Hellenistic control over former Persian territories.
Before Fame
Before he became king, Darius was a fairly unknown member of the extended Achaemenid royal family. His early career was uneventful until he stood out during Artaxerxes III's military campaign against the Cadusians in the 350s BC. His bravery and skill in this conflict gained him attention at court, leading to his appointment as satrap of Armenia, an important frontier region.
Around 340 BC, Darius was promoted to oversee the royal postal service, placing him among the high-ranking officials in the empire. This role involved managing the empire's communication networks and showed the king's growing trust in him. His administrative experience and proven loyalty made him a strong candidate for the throne when a succession crisis occurred following the murders of Artaxerxes III and Arses by the ambitious eunuch Bagoas.
Key Achievements
- Successfully eliminated the powerful court eunuch Bagoas and consolidated royal authority
- Maintained control over the vast Achaemenid Empire during the early phases of Alexander's invasion
- Organized massive military responses including the armies at Issus and Gaugamela
- Preserved the eastern provinces of the empire for several years after losing the western territories
- Represented the final independent ruler of the Persian Empire before Hellenistic conquest
Did You Know?
- 01.He was married to two wives simultaneously: Stateira and Abandokht, following Persian royal polygamous traditions
- 02.His original name was Artashata before taking the throne name Darius III
- 03.Alexander the Great reportedly wept upon discovering Darius's body and gave him a royal funeral
- 04.He offered Alexander half his empire, one of his daughters in marriage, and an enormous ransom for his captured family, but Alexander refused
- 05.His mother Sisygambis became so devoted to Alexander after her capture that she reportedly died of grief when Alexander died