Monarchs & Royalty · Head-to-head
Cyrus the Great vs Darius the Great
Yes — based on their recorded years, Cyrus the Great (c. 600–530 BCE) and Darius the Great (550–486 BCE) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
Cyrus the Great
Cyrus the Great founded the Achaemenid Persian Empire in the 6th century BCE, building one of the largest empires the ancient world had seen.
Key achievements
- Founded the Achaemenid Empire by uniting the Median and Persian kingdoms around 550 BCE.
- Conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 539 BCE, one of the ancient world's great powers.
- Built an empire that stretched from the Mediterranean Sea to the Indus River at its height.
- Established administrative policies of relative tolerance toward conquered peoples' customs and religions.
Fast fact
Cyrus is credited in the biblical Book of Ezra with allowing exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem, and the Cyrus Cylinder is often cited as an early declaration of tolerance, though its exact nature is debated by historians.
Full profile of Cyrus the Great →Darius the Great
Darius the Great ruled the Achaemenid Persian Empire from 522 to 486 BCE, expanding its borders and organizing it into an efficient system of provinces.
Key achievements
- Became King of the Achaemenid Empire in 522 BCE after a period of political upheaval.
- Reorganized the empire into administrative provinces called satrapies for more efficient governance.
- Built the Royal Road, a major infrastructure project connecting the vast Persian Empire.
- Commissioned the construction of the ceremonial capital of Persepolis.
Fast fact
Darius commissioned the Behistun Inscription, a massive trilingual rock relief that became crucial to modern scholars in deciphering cuneiform script.
Full profile of Darius the Great →Who lived first, Cyrus the Great or Darius the Great?
Cyrus the Great (c. 600–530 BCE) lived first, before Darius the Great (550–486 BCE), based on their recorded years.
Were Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great contemporaries?
Yes — based on their recorded years, Cyrus the Great (c. 600–530 BCE) and Darius the Great (550–486 BCE) were alive at the same time for at least part of their lives.
What do Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great have in common?
Both Cyrus the Great and Darius the Great are grouped among our Monarchs & Royalty figures and lived during the Ancient World.