Final answer:
Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, was a ruler of the Persian Empire who introduced major reforms and expanded the empire. The empire's governance system allowed the king to maintain control over a vast territory. The Persian kings were revered as the earthly representatives of the god Ahura Mazda.
Step-by-step explanation:
Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, was a ruler of the Persian Empire from 521 to 486 BCE. He came to power after assassinating his predecessor and worked to consolidate royal power and expand the empire further. Darius introduced major reforms such as improving infrastructure, establishing a postal service, standardizing weights and measures, and dividing the empire into twenty provinces ruled by officials called satraps.
Under Darius' rule, the Persian Empire reached its peak, covering a vast territory that stretched from Asia Minor to Egypt. The empire's governance system allowed the king to gather intelligence and maintain control over such a vast area. The Persian kings were revered as the earthly representatives of the god Ahura Mazda and commanded a large army of subject peoples.
Despite its power and size, the Persian Empire was eventually conquered by Alexander the Great, who was impressed by the Persian system of incorporating local language and traditions. Alexander buried the last Persian emperor, Darius III, in a lavish tomb to legitimize his control over the empire.