Darius was one of the great Kings of Persia best known for his administrative genius and building projects. His rise to power was urmoltuous.
According to Herodotus, while Cambyses was in Egypt, a man claiming to be Bardiya (his brother) proclaimed himself king. This man had previously been ordered to death. On Cambyses trip home to sort issues out he died by his own hand. Both Herodotus and the Behistan inscription tell of economic and religious changes made by Bardiya which in turn in accordance with Herodotus put him in favour with the majority of the Persian Empire. …
