Category:Darius III (subject)
Darius III was King of Persia, from 336 BCE to 330 BCE.
- Persian Kings: ... -> Artaxerses II -> Darius III (succeeded by Alexander the Great)
Overview
Darius III was a member of the Persian royal family. He was put on the throne by Vizir Bagoas who had murdered Artaxerses III and all his sons, including Arses whom he had initially supported as the new King.
Eventually, Darius III managed to have Bagoas killed. He thus consolidated his rule against his internal enemies, but could do nothing against the rising power of the Macedonians. When in 334 BCE Alexander the Great took the leadership of the invasion that his father Philip has launched two years before, Darius III's army was defeated in a series of battles. At the end the king was murdered by one of his own generals, Bessus, who proclaimed himself king, only to be captured and executed the year later by Alexander the Great, now the unchallenged ruler of the Persian Empire.
Darius III and the Jews
As King of Persia, Darius III was the ruler of Judah. Ancient sources do not record any special event relating the king to the province of Judah or to the Jewish people. Josephus, who located the Samaritan Schism under Darius III, most likely confused him with Darius II.
Darius III in ancient sources
- Darius III (sources) -- survey of ancient sources
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External links
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