# Darius — Histories character guide

> Darius in Histories by Herodotus.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** King Darius, king Darius, Darius the Persian

**First appearance:** 0004-book-iii-thaleia

## Snapshot

The Persian king who organized the empire, invaded Scythia, and died before avenging Athens—leaving his son Xerxes to complete the expedition against Greece.

## Who they are

Darius consolidates Persian power after Cambyses, establishing satrapies and tribute, and turns his ambitions toward Scythia and then Greece. His reign ends with Egypt in revolt and Athens unpunished for its support of the Ionian rebellion, a debt he passes to his son. His choice of Xerxes as successor—guided by Spartan custom and Atossa's influence—sets in motion the great invasion that will define the second half of the Histories.

## Relationships

### [Cyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cyrus)

_family_

Darius is a distant relative and later successor to Cyrus, though not a direct descendant.

### [Cambyses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cambyses)

_rivalry_

Cambyses and Darius are rivals for power, with Darius ultimately seizing the throne after Cambyses' death.

### [Xerxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/xerxes)

_family_

Xerxes is the son and chosen successor of Darius, inheriting the Persian throne.

### [Zopyros](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/zopyros)

_friendship_

Zopyros is a loyal Persian noble who mutilates himself to help Darius capture Babylon, earning great trust.

### [Cyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cyrus)

_family_

Darius is a distant relative and later successor to Cyrus, though not a direct descendant.

### [Cambyses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cambyses)

_rivalry_

Cambyses and Darius are rivals for power, with Darius ultimately seizing the throne after Cambyses' death.

### [Xerxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/xerxes)

_family_

Xerxes is the son and chosen successor of Darius, inheriting the Persian throne.

### [Cambyses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cambyses)

_rivalry_

Cambyses and Darius are rivals for power, with Darius ultimately seizing the throne after Cambyses' death.

### [Zopyros](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/zopyros)

_friendship_

Zopyros is a loyal Persian noble who mutilates himself to help Darius capture Babylon, earning great trust.

### [Cyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cyrus)

_family_

Darius is a distant relative and later successor to Cyrus, though not a direct descendant.

## In the story

### [Book II: Euterpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-ii-euterpe)

Persian king who was refused permission to set up a statue in front of Sesostris' monuments.

### [Book III: Thaleia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-iii-thaleia)

King of Persia, conducts a cultural experiment on funeral customs and sends spies to Hellas.

### [Book IV: Melpomene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-iv-melpomene)

King of Persia, leads an invasion against the Scythians to avenge their earlier conquest of Media.

### [Book V: Terpsichore](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-v-terpsichore)

Persian king who orders the subjugation of Thrace, recalls Histiaios, and later sends him back to Ionia.

### [Book VI: Erato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-vi-erato)

King Darius sends heralds to demand earth and water from Greek states, and orders the Thasians to dismantle their walls and bring ships to Abdera.

### [Book VII: Polymnia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-vii-polymnia)

Darius, son of Hystaspes, is furious about Marathon and the attack on Sardis; he prepares a massive expedition but dies before carrying it out.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/darius
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters