Darius III

Darius III, the thirteenth and final King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, ascended to the throne in three hundred thirty-six BC. His reign marked a tumultuous period in Persian history, characterized by both internal strife and external threats. Darius, a distant relative of the Achaemenid dynasty, initially emerged as a notable figure during the Cadusian expedition led by Artaxerxes III in the three hundred fifties BC, where his valor earned him the Satrapy of Armenia.

In three hundred forty BC, Darius was appointed to oversee the royal postal service, a prestigious role that further solidified his standing within the empire. Following the sudden demise of Artaxerxes III, who was poisoned by the eunuch Bagoas, Darius found himself thrust into power. He quickly eliminated Bagoas, forcing the treacherous eunuch to drink the poison he had intended for him, thus securing his position as king.

However, Darius's reign was soon overshadowed by the formidable military campaigns of Alexander the Great. In three hundred thirty-four BC, Alexander launched his invasion of the Persian Empire, achieving a series of decisive victories that culminated in the sacking of Persepolis in three hundred thirty BC. As the empire crumbled under Alexander's relentless advance, Darius was ultimately betrayed and killed by Bessus, a relative and satrap of Bactria, marking a tragic end to his rule.