Answer:
Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, was an effective ruler of the Persian Empire due to several factors:
- Military conquests: Darius expanded the Persian Empire through military conquests, which helped to solidify his rule and increase the wealth and power of the empire. He led successful campaigns against the Scythians, the Greeks, and the Egyptians, among others.
- Administrative reforms: Darius implemented a number of administrative reforms that helped to centralize power and increase the efficiency of the empire. He divided the empire into provinces, each with its own governor and set of officials, which helped to improve communication and coordination between different regions.
- Road and canal building: Darius ordered the construction of a network of roads and canals throughout the empire, which helped to improve communication and transportation. This allowed for better trade, administration and military maneuvers.
- Legal reform: Darius also created a new legal system, which helped to standardize laws and regulations throughout the empire. This helped to reduce corruption and increase the sense of justice among the people.
- Religion: Darius was a follower of Zoroastrianism, the religion of the Persian Empire, which helped him to gain the support of the Persian people. He also promoted religious tolerance, allowing different regions to keep their own religious practices.
- Tolerance and respect for conquered cultures: Darius was known for his tolerance of the cultures of the peoples he conquered, and also respected the governance structures of the conquered territories, which helped him to gain the support of the conquered peoples and maintain stability in the empire.
In summary, Darius I effectively ruled the Persian Empire through a combination of military conquests, administrative reforms, infrastructure development, legal reform, religious tolerance, and respect for the cultures of conquered peoples.