User:HistoryofIran/Darius III
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Darius III (Old Persian: ππ πΌπΉπΊπ’π, romanized: DΔrayava(h)uΕ‘; New Persian: Ψ―Ψ§Ψ±ΫΩΨ΄; c. 380 β 330 BC) was the last Achaemenid King of Kings of Persia, reigning from 336 BC to his death in 330 BC.
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Darius III ππ πΌπΉπΊπ’π | |
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King of the Achaemenid Empire | |
Reign | 336β330 BC |
Predecessor | Artaxerxes IV Arses |
Successor |
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Pharaoh of Egypt | |
Reign | 336β332 BC |
Predecessor | Artaxerxes IV |
Successor | Alexander the Great |
Born | c. 380 BC |
Died | July 330 BC (aged c. 50) Parthia |
Burial | |
Spouse | Stateira I |
Issue |
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House | Achaemenid |
Father | Arsames |
Mother | Sisygambis |
Religion | Zoroastrianism |
Contrary to his predecessor Artaxerxes IV Arses, Darius was a distant member of the Achaemenid dynasty. During his early career, he was reportedly an obscure figure among his peers, and first rose to prominence during the Cadusian expedition of Artaxerxes III in the 350s BC. As a reward for his bravery, he was given the Satrapy of Armenia. Around 340 BC, he was made in charge of the royal "postal service," a high-ranking position. In 338 BC, Artaxerxes III met an abrupt end after being poisoned by the court eunuch and chiliarch (hazahrapatish) Bagoas, who installed his youngest son Arses on the throne. He only reigned for a few years, until Bagoas had him poisoned as well. Darius was subsequently installed on throne, and soon forced Bagoas to drink his own poison after discovering that the eunuch had planned to poison him as well.
He is partially remembered in Iranian traditions as Dara II, the last king of the mythological Kayanian dynasty, which reflected memories of the Achaemenids.