Darius I (the Great)
Achaemenid king (522–486 BC), author of the Behistun inscription; organised the satrapies and their tribute (Herodotus 3.89). Distinct from "Darius the Mede" of Daniel 5–6.
Kingdom: Achaemenid Persian Empire
Names and aliases
- Dārayavauš (Old Persian)
- Dareios (Greek (Herodotus))
Reign
| Chronology model | Began | Ended | Stated length | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No chronology model (model-independent) | 522 BC – 521 BC | 486 BC | — | Year 1 began 1 Nisan 521 in Babylonian reckoning.Babylonian Chronology 626 B.C.–A.D. 45 (SAOC 24) |
Reign dates are model-dependent reconstructions. They are shown per model and never merged.
Researched events
- The rebuilt Temple completed on 3 Adar of Darius's sixth year (Ezra 6:15)
- Darius I confirms Cyrus's decree and orders the Temple completed (Ezra 6:1–12)
- Tattenai governor of Beyond the River inquires and writes to Darius (Ezra 5:3–17)
- Haggai and Zechariah stir the people; the Temple work resumes (Darius's second year, 520 BC)
- Opposition from the people of the land; the Temple work ceases until Darius's second year (Ezra 4:1–5, 24)
- The returned exiles keep the Passover after the Temple's dedication (Ezra 6:19–22)
- Haggai's oracles of 24/IX, Darius year 2: "from this day I will bless you"; Zerubbabel the signet
- Haggai's oracle on the latter glory of the house (21/VII, Darius year 2)
- Zechariah's first oracle: the call to return (8th month, Darius year 2)
- Zechariah's night visions (24 Shebat, Darius year 2; Zech 1:7–6:8)
- The Bethel delegation and the question of fasting; Zechariah's answer (4/IX, Darius year 4)
- The first "burden" of Zechariah 9–11 (undated oracle collection)
- The second "burden" of Zechariah 12–14 (undated oracle collection)