Darius I (Darius the Great)

Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, was a Persian king who reigned from 522 to 486 BCE. He expanded the Persian Empire to its maximum size, stretching from Egypt to India, and established strong administrative systems to manage such a vast territory. Darius built impressive infrastructure, including roads like the Royal Road for faster communication, and standardized currency to promote trade. He also promoted cultural tolerance and stability within his diverse empire. His leadership helped solidify Persia as a formidable empire in the ancient world, leaving a lasting legacy in governance, infrastructure, and cultural integration.