Darius I
Darius I (550-486), King of Persia. After seizing the throne in 522, Darius organized the Persian Empire, dividing it into a number of semi-independent provinces and establishing a regular taxation system. In 513 he invaded Europe and penetrated north of the Danube. Between 499 and 494 he put down a revolt among his Greek subjects. His attempt to punish the Athenians for assisting the rebels was unsuccessful and he was defeated at Marathon (490).
