Darius the Great / Makers of History

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

27802

Title

Darius the Great / Makers of History

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Jacob Abbott's historical narrative chronicles the rise of Darius the Great, exploring his character, the succession crisis following Cambyses, and his ambitious campaigns against Babylon and Greece. Written with a calm, impartial tone, the text examines the moral complexities of power, the consequences of tyranny, and the hubris of empire through the lens of ancient Persian history.

Summary up to 500 words

Jacob Abbott's historical account of Darius the Great details the reign of the Persian monarch who ascended the throne following the death of Cambyses and the brief usurpation of Smerdis. The narrative establishes the context of the vast Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great, noting the succession struggles between Cambyses and his brother. Upon becoming king, Darius immediately faced a revolt in Babylon, fueled by local pride and neglect during the previous reigns. Simultaneously, he addressed the threat of Greece, organizing a massive expedition to subdue the Greek city-states. The text recounts the disastrous first invasion, where Darius's forces were repelled, leading to the death of the Athenian general Miltiades. Despite this setback, Darius prepared for a second, even larger invasion, but his plans were cut short by his sudden death. The book concludes with the accession of his son Xerxes, who inherited the vast preparations and the mandate to conquer Greece. Throughout the narrative, Abbott emphasizes the distinction between the greatness of position and the greatness of character, noting that while Darius ruled a vast empire, he achieved little personally and left no strong impressions of personal virtue. The story serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition, the fragility of political stability, and the inevitable rise and fall of empires driven by human error and divine providence. Abbott also highlights the tragic fate of Miltiades, whose failure at Paros led to his condemnation and death, illustrating how military rule often prioritizes success over justice. The account further explores the complex political maneuvering regarding the succession, where Darius chose Xerxes, the son of his wife Atossa and grandson of Cyrus, over his older son Artobazanes, settling the question before his death.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

Download URL

https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/27802.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg27802.epub

Download EPUB

Downloaded at

2026-07-05 15:44 UTC

Categories

• Biography
• History