2 - The consolidation of the empire and its limits of growth under Darius and Xerxes

Summary

DARIUS AND THE RE-ESTABLISHMENT OF ACHAEMENID POWER

Almost as much uncertainty fogs the history of how Darius came to the throne of Cyrus as surrounds that of the death of Cambyses, son of Cyrus. At first glance we apparently have two detailed descriptions of these events: Darius' own story, as told at Bisitun, and Herodotus III.67–80. Yet our problems begin even with this simple and often accepted observation. In fact, are the Bisitun inscription and the story of Darius' rise to kingship, as told in Herodotus, independent sources? Possibly not, for it is entirely reasonable to assume that the account of these events in Herodotus is based on the Greek historian's own knowledge of the Res gestae of Darius – not as we have it at Bisitun, but as the subjects of the king had it from the copies of the inscription which Darius tells us he ordered circulated throughout the empire (DB para. 70). Two fragments of such documents have been found in Babylon, and we know Jewish mercenaries serving the Great King at Elephantine also had their copy. There may have been a version available in Halicarnassus, the birthplace of Herodotus. Thus, caution requires that we not consider true what Darius tells us at Bisitun on the grounds that the story is confirmed independently in Herodotus. Instead, we must proceed with the circumspection required whenever the historian deals with a single source.