Final answer:
Darius I managed his empire through major infrastructure improvements, including building projects like palaces, the Royal Road, and qanats for irrigation. He also standardized weights, measures, and currency, organized the empire into satrapies, and improved communication with a postal service and a standardized cuneiform alphabet.
Step-by-step explanation:
To govern his vast empire, Darius I implemented several major reforms to improve infrastructure and consolidate royal power. Building projects were a fundamental part of Darius's strategy that included the construction of impressive palaces that demonstrated the empire's power and reflected a blend of artistic influences from various regions. Additionally, Darius focused on improving the empire’s infrastructure, most notably by constructing the Royal Road, which allowed for faster communication and travel across the sprawling territory.
Darius also attempted to build a canal linking the Red Sea to the Nile River and constructed qanats for irrigation. To streamline administration, he instituted a standardized system of weights, measures, and currency, and organized the empire into twenty provinces called satrapies, each overseen by a governor or satrap. Communication was enhanced with the establishment of a postal service and by standardizing a new cuneiform alphabet. Through these efforts, Darius effectively managed the complexities of ruling a massive and diverse empire.