Darius the Mede

Darius the Mede was mentioned in the biblical book of Daniel ruler, which occurs in Babylon at the end of 70 years of exile of the Jews. About his identity, there is little definite information.

His office, he competed in the period around 539 BC. After the conquest of Babylon by the Persian army of Cyrus, he was the Chaldean king. Like the biblical statement from Daniel Chapter 6, verse 1 refer, he was 62 years old at that time and then took over the official duties of its predecessor Belshazzar.

The book of Daniel chapter 9, verse 1 further illustrates that Darius was the son of Xerxes, who was also known as Ahasuerus.

In addition, the report provides further insight into Bible Darius. In the book of Daniel chapter 6, verse 29, the name of Darius and Cyrus are side by side. So one can assume that from the point of view of the writer, Darius and Cyrus may not have been one and the same person, since there is talk of the "King Darius " and a " Persian king Cyrus ." Since Cyrus was without question the Persian king, Darius had to be another king.

From cuneiform texts show that Cyrus did not immediately the title "King of Babylon" adopted after the conquest of Babylon; Historians believe that those titles Cyrus a vassal, also called satraps, transferred, who became his governor in Babylon. Darius sat according to the Bible record of his hand 120 satrap ( governor ) on the former Kingdom of Babylon. Moreover, it was used in ancient times the title "King " not only to the monarch, but also on regional ruler, governor or vassal. Some historians identify with a man named Darius Gubaru, but also Gobryas I. out of the question. Gubaru was used by Cyrus to the governor of Babylon and ruled according to ancient sources with great power and autonomy, so that the term " king" would fit on him and that " Darius " just another Herrschertitulatur within the meaning of Persian meaning - " the Mighty " - represents.