Darius III of Persia Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids Darius III
Detail of Darius III from the Alexander Mosaic.
Reign	336–330 BC
Born	c. 380 BC Persia
Died	July 330 BC (aged 50) Bactria
Burial	Persepolis
House	Achaemenid Dynasty
Religion	Zoroastrianism

Darius III (born around 380 BC, died July 330 BC) was the very last king of the Achaemenid Empire. This was a huge and powerful empire in ancient Persia. His birth name was Artashata, but he took the name Darius when he became king. He ruled for six years, from 336 BC to 330 BC. Darius III is most famous for his battles against the mighty Alexander the Great.

Darius III: Last King of Persia
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Darius III: Last King of Persia

Darius III was born around 380 BC. He was not the direct son of the previous king. Instead, he was a distant cousin. His family was part of the Achaemenid Dynasty. This was the ruling family of the Persian Empire for over 200 years.

Becoming King of Persia

Before becoming king, Darius III had a different name: Artashata. He was also known as Codomannus by the Greeks. He became king in 336 BC after the previous king, Artaxerxes IV, was killed. When Artashata became king, he chose the name Darius. This was a famous name from earlier, successful Persian kings.

The Achaemenid Empire was very large. It stretched from parts of Europe to India. It included many different cultures and peoples. Darius III had to rule this vast land.

Facing Alexander the Great

Darius III's reign was mostly defined by his conflict with Alexander the Great. Alexander was the young king of Macedonia. He wanted to conquer the Persian Empire. This conflict led to some of the biggest battles in ancient history.

Alexander's army was very strong and well-trained. Darius III had a much larger army. However, Alexander's soldiers were often more skilled. They also had better battle plans.

Major Battles with Alexander

Darius III and Alexander fought three main battles. These battles decided the fate of the Persian Empire.

The Battle of Issus

The first major battle was the Battle of Issus in 333 BC. This battle took place in a narrow area. This made it hard for Darius's large army to use its numbers. Alexander's army fought bravely.

During the battle, Darius III's army was defeated. Darius himself had to flee the battlefield. Alexander captured Darius's family, including his mother, wife, and daughters. Alexander treated them with respect.

The Battle of Gaugamela

The most important battle was the Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC. This battle was fought on a wide, open plain. Darius had chosen this spot carefully. He hoped his huge army could surround Alexander.

Darius gathered an enormous army. It included soldiers from all over his empire. He even had war elephants and chariots with scythes. Despite his preparations, Alexander's tactics were superior.

Once again, Darius III's army was defeated. Darius had to flee the battle again. This loss was a huge blow to the Persian Empire. It showed that Alexander was truly unstoppable.

The End of an Empire

After the Battle of Gaugamela, Alexander continued to conquer Persian cities. He took over important places like Babylon and Persepolis. Persepolis was the ceremonial capital of the Persian Empire.

Darius III tried to escape to the eastern parts of his empire. He hoped to gather a new army. However, some of his own governors and generals turned against him. They were led by a man named Bessus.

In July 330 BC, Darius III was killed by Bessus and his men. He was about 50 years old. Alexander found Darius dying. Alexander was saddened by Darius's death. He gave Darius a royal burial.

Darius III's death marked the end of the Achaemenid Empire. Alexander the Great then became the ruler of this vast territory. He created an even larger empire.

Images for kids

Coin minted in by Cilicia by its satrap Mazaeus, portraying Artaxerxes III as pharaoh on the obverse, while a lion is depicted on the reverse
Darius III portrayed (in the middle) in battle against Alexander in a Greek depiction; Possible illustration of either Battle of Issus or Battle of Gaugamela
Darius's flight at the Battle of Gaugamela (18th-century ivory relief)
The Family of Darius before Alexander, by Paolo Veronese, 1570.