Darius I

Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, was a king of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from 522 to 486 BCE. He is best known for his administrative reforms, which organized the vast empire into provinces for better governance. Darius expanded the empire's territory, stretching from the Indus Valley to Thrace, and he initiated major construction projects, including the capital city of Persepolis. Darius also improved trade and communication by building roads, including the famous Royal Road. His reign marked a peak in Persian cultural and political power, and he is remembered for his efforts in unifying and modernizing the empire.