Darius III of Persia

DARIUS III OF PERSIA in military outfit, based on the mosaic of the battle of Issus from Pompeii. Darius III, who reigned from 336 BC to 330 BC, was the last king of kings of the Achaemenid dynasty of Persia. His reign came to an end when Alexander the Great, king of Macedonia, conquered the Persian Empire. Although Alexander fought countless battles during his Asian military campaign, the two rival kings fought face to face only in two battles: at Issus (333 BC), in the coast of modern-day southern Turkey, and Gaugamela (331 BC), in Mesopotamia, modern-day Iraq. Both battles resulted in Macedonian victory, and on both battles Alexander himself charged directly towards Darius, trying to kill him in single combat with his own spear. Darius turned his chariot around and fled the battlefield desperately on both occasions. At Issus, Darius’ family, including his daughter Stateira II, accompanied the king, staying in the royal tent during the battle. In the aftermath of the battle, having been abandoned at the camp, Darius’ wife and daughter were captured by Alexander, who treated them well. In the meantime, Darius sent a letter to Alexander offering him the western half of his empire and the hand of his daughter Stateira to end the hostilities. Alexander declined the offer and reminded Darius that he already had custody of both the land and Stateira, that he was coming to take the whole empire, and if he ever decided to marry Stateira, he wouldn’t need his permission. Alexander also told Darius that if he wanted to keep his throne, he shall stand his ground and fight for it. At the decisive battle of Gaugamela, the Macedonians, heavily outnumbered, crushed the gigantic Persian army, forcing Darius to flee for a second time. After that battle, Alexander was proclaimed “king of Asia”, captured Babylon, burned the Persian capital of Persepolis, and continued the pursuit of Darius. The Persian king fled to Bactria, but he was betrayed and assassinated by his own men, and the governor of Bactria, Bessus, proclaimed himself king. Alexander found the body of Darius and sent him to Persia to be ceremonially buried among his dynasty. His next goal was to kill the usurper.