Description
By Jacob Abbott. Enter the world of emperors, conquest, and ancient power in this classic account of one of history’s greatest rulers.
In History of Darius the Great, celebrated nineteenth-century historian Jacob Abbott recounts the dramatic rise and reign of Darius I, the powerful Persian monarch who transformed the vast Achaemenid Empire into one of the greatest empires the ancient world had ever seen. From palace intrigue and rebellion to massive military campaigns and imperial administration, Abbott brings to life the turbulent age that shaped the ancient Near East.
The book traces Darius’s ascent to the throne amid political chaos, his consolidation of power across Persia’s enormous territories, and his ambitious efforts to create an efficient and enduring imperial system. Readers are introduced to the grandeur of ancient Persia, its royal courts, armies, roads, and provinces, while also witnessing the famous conflicts between Persia and the Greek world that would echo throughout history.
Written in Abbott’s engaging and accessible style, this volume combines biography, history, and storytelling to make the ancient world vivid for readers of all ages. More than a portrait of a single ruler, it is a sweeping account of empire, leadership, war, and civilization during one of antiquity’s most important eras.
This carefully restored reprint revives a beloved historical classic for modern audiences. Ideal for students, history enthusiasts, and readers fascinated by Persia, Greece, and the ancient world, History of Darius the Great remains an absorbing introduction to the life of the king whose empire stretched from the Mediterranean to India and whose legacy shaped the course of world history for centuries afterward.
About the author: Jacob Abbott (1803–1879) was a native of the state of Maine who was a professor of mathematics and natural philosophy, a minister, and founder of two schools (the Mount Vernon School for Young Ladies in Boston and the Mount Vernon School for Boys, in New York City). He wrote more than 180 books and became famous for his easy-to-read style of historical storytelling, stripped of the dry dustiness which characterized other texts.
Contents
Chapter I: Cambyses
Chapter II: The End of Cambyses
Chapter III: Smerdis the Magian
Chapter IV: The Accession of Darius
Chapter V: The Provinces
Chapter VI: The Reconnoitering of Greece
Chapter VII: The Revolt of Babylon
Chapter VIII: The Invasion of Scythia
Chapter IX: The Retreat from Scythia
Chapter X: The Story of Histiæus
Chapter XI: The Invasion of Greece and the Battle of Marathon
Chapter XII: The Death of Darius
