22. Four kings of Persia, Darius I to Darius III

22.  -Daniel Chapter 11, Verse 2.

Four Kings of Persia, Darius I to Darius III. (Persia) BC 521 - 331. 

Now begins the unfurling of secular history in "minute" detail throughout these pages, with Biblical history also stretched out before us as a "bloody" road. Daniel had to see and walk into its darkness of dates, times, and of prominent men, who were to mark that road in milestones. That road was to be hard and long for Daniel to see and understand. (Daniel 10:1).

Its history began with the "strength" of Persia and its eventual downfall. Daniel 11:2 -. "AND NOW WILL I SHOW THEE THE TRUTH. BEHOLD, THERE SHALL STAND UP YET THREE KINGS IN PERSIA, AND THE FOURTH SHALL BE FAR RICHER THAN THEY ALL: AND BY HIS STRENGTH THROUGH
HIS RICHES HE SHALL STIR UP ALL AGAINST THE REALM OF GRECIA".

Let us first begin by unravelling the "reason" behind the history in this long chapter to come and that "reason" is in the word "truth". When one learns the "truth" about something, it is to learn and know the state of quality, it is conformity to fact or reality and it is a purity from falsehood; It is an honesty and exactness to rule, it is a verified fact! This is the "exact yardstick" that these "truths" in Daniel's verses will follow.

They will not follow conjecture, as some scriptural scholars these days write and enforce upon Daniel's verses. These truthful words will not squeeze kings and princes, or wrong dates and times into verses, falsifying understandings of those verses to suit any sect or church in our modern history, thereby fulfilling for those churches their own pet theories, they have established for themselves to live by. Daniel's history is "fact", milestone after milestone!

Let us continue with the second line of Verse 2-"BEHOLD, THERE SHALL STAND UP YET THREE KINGS OF PERSIA"; The words "stand up" are first to be taken note of, along with the word "behold". Daniel is first setting the stage of history as a "factual place", because to "behold" something one must fix the eyes upon and give special attention to it. Thus, to contemplate and regard, with great care! This "great care" is not only applicable to Darius, but also to us in the 20th century striving to find "truth".

One must now unravel the words "stand up" in Daniel's writings, -or any other prophet's writings-, a king to stand up is held up in no doubt by others to see, whether in secular or biblical history. Daniel uses the same words "stand up" when speaking of Alexander the Great in his following verses 3 and 4, and who has not heard of Alexander and his vast conquest? He "stood up" in secular history and was seen beyond all doubt by others down through the centuries. He was erect and upright in the arrogance of his station in life for all to see and persisted in his short life in rank and order. He held the "course of his ship" until the prophecy for him, set by Daniel in chapter 11 verses 3 and 4, were reached and expired.

The "reason" for the 3 kings of Persia to "stand up" and to be remembered by all students of history, is in their defence of a "decree" for to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem and to protect the "holy seed" of people from out of the 12 tribes of the whole nation of Israel within the nations they were scattered. This "decree" is the crux of these 3 kings being chosen by Daniel 11:2, because, out of all the following Kings of Persia from Cyrus II, these 3 kings will always be remembered to "stand out" from the other kings. The names of the 3 Persian Kings are written down in God's Law as an epitaph to their memory! Those 3 kings are in the book of Ezra chapter 4-verses 5-6-7; they are Darius I, the Persian known as Hystaspes, -his son Ahasueras known as Xerxes I,- and Xerxes third son called Artaxerxes I, nicknamed Longimanus (longhand). Here they "stand up" in the book of Ezra as protectors of the "holy seed", out of the House of Judah.

Darius I, the Persian, is not to be confused with Darius the Mede King of Babylon, of whom we read of in Daniel chapter 11 verse 1. Darius the Persian (Hystaspes) is the first king of the Persian Empire coming from the second of the twin lineages of Persia, descended from Ariaramnes (Parsa). Whose descent we have already read of earlier in this book. Cyrus II (The Great) lineage has died out with his own sons. So Darius I the Persian now picks up the throne of the Medes and Persians. Darius I, Hystaspes came to the throne in 521 BC approx; 14 years after Daniel's death.

Many biblical scholars falsify answers and conjecture in names within Daniel 11:2. Giving these 3 kings as Cambyses II, and Bardyia (Smerdis)- (the sons of Cyrus II) and Darius I Hystaspes; For one reason only, because these kings follow each other in succession. Scholars take little note of Daniel's words and reasons for those words but a lot of note to their own vanities of reasoning!

Our Heavenly Father's Law and its secular/biblical history, spelled out in Daniel chapter 11, is concerned first and foremost with "all" the nation of Israel -(both houses) and what will befall them, in the gradual passing of monarchs, times and the fullness of the times within the Gentile nations and the prophecies set for them. The Kings of Persia are, in a peculiar way, incidental, yet they are important because under their rule the "holy seed" out of the nation of the "House of Israel," (called Zion) is also under these continuing rulers somewhere in the land mass that Persia governed. Perhaps they were in Assyria, Babylonia, Persia, or on into Asia Minor, and Greece, etc; or- wherever their changing masters had driven Israel?

When the prophet Isaiah wrote his prophecy concerning Cyrus II The Great, he did so to endorse this "reason" of protection by the Persians for both houses of Israel. Let us read what Isaiah says, in Isaiah 44:28, 45:1-4.

Verse 28:- "THAT SAITH OF CYRUS, HE IS MY SHEPHERD, (Or a man employed to tend God's "sheep" within Cyrus II's kingdom) AND SHALL PERFORM ALL MY PLEASURE: (Or gratify the expectation of good towards all Israel) EVEN SAYING TO JERUSALEM, (Or both the "holy seed" known as Jerusalem and the city of Jerusalem itself). THOU SHALT BE BUILT; AND TO THE TEMPLE, THY FOUNDATION SHALL BE LAID".

45 Verse 1:- "THUS SAITH THE LORD TO HIS ANOINTED, (Or one who has been consecrated by the use of oil as a king and marked as different from other personages, to be used in a special manner to bring about God's pleasure) TO CYRUS, WHOSE RIGHT HAND I HAVE HOLDEN, TO SUBDUE NATIONS BEFORE HIM; AND I WILL LOOSE THE LOINS OF KINGS, (Or "fear" of the name of Cyrus) TO OPEN BEFORE HIM THE TWO LEAVED GATES"; (Or most of the cities in the ancient world were surrounded and protected by great walls, which had double or twin doors which were bolted as one door. There is a striking example of two huge leaved wooden bronze doors, from the Assyrian Shalmaneser III's reign (858-824 BC), taken from a minor palace at Balawat, near Nimrud, the gates decorated with scenes of his principal campaigns. These doors are now in the British Museum).

In I Kings 6:32-35, is another example of 2 leaved doors.
Verse 34:- "AND THE TWO DOORS WERE OF FIR TREE; THE TWO LEAVES OF THE ONE DOOR WERE FOLDING, AND THE TWO LEAVES OF THE OTHER DOOR WERE FOLDING".

So, in other words God says of Cyrus II, no two leaved gates of cities or buildings will be closed against him and the gates shall not be shut.

Verse 2:- "I WILL GO BEFORE THEE, AND MAKE THE CROOKED PLACES STRAIGHT"; (Or- Cyrus II had to overcome many difficulties before he could establish the empire of the Medes and Persians. He was the King of Anshan and the King of Parsa, yet! He was on the "crooked path" of being a vassal King to his grandfather, Astyages King of the Median empire. This was one of the "paths" that God set "straight", so that Cyrus II had complete control over this part of the world for "His" pleasure and purposes. Also, Cyrus II took over from Arsarues, of the second lineage of Persia (Ariaramnes)- his Kingship of Parsa, that this "crooked place" was also made straight, so no other claimant to the throne could overthrow Cyrus II.

Daniel himself in chapter 10:13,20; points out to us reader, how God, through his angels and ministers, fought with the prince of Persia. At one time the very strong character and self-will of one of the kings of Persia, thwarted, or resisted the persuasions of the angel of God, so the archangel Michael had to pitch in and help him, because Michael's "strength" lay with prophecies being "fulfilled" towards Daniel's nation, of the House of Judah and of Israel and this "had" to be accomplished!

(There are no demons or a so-called Being named Satan, here in Daniel 10 intervening, as some would have us believe). Its man's strong self-will against God's will that's fighting here. The strength of the flesh (Satan) who is the adversary. When men are after earthly power they will fight to the death in their determinations, they too having an inner "awesome" power within them akin to angels. If they only knew how to use it successfully)!

Isaiah 45:2:- "I WILL BREAK IN PIECES THE GATES OF BRASS, AND CUT ASUNDER THE BARS OF IRON":-(Or- the magnificent gates of wood, bronze or brass that were the security of kings' palaces and cities. The iron bars were of that which is to obstruct or prevent an intruder from entering).

Verse 3:- "AND I WILL GIVE THEE THE TREASURES OF DARKNESS, (Or- darkness is the absence of light, it is also ignorance and perplexity; yet, of "darkness" it can be said, it brings peaceful slumber to a person, becoming unaware of the true nature of things going on around one. So Cyrus II, though anointed of God, would remain in some respects ignorant and peacefully unaware, (treasures of darkness) of the depth of the Marvellous work God is "really" performing around him). AND HIDDEN RICHES OF SECRET PLACES". (Or-though Cyrus II had not yet been born during this prophecy of Isaiah's time. Yet, the "secret" or hidden knowledge of this mystery of the role Cyrus II which was to come into play in secular and biblical histories, was only to be revealed through the seers or prophets of Holy Scripture. Also, through the manner of the occult for man, which the "hidden eye" of understanding could only see, because these things were unknown unless a certain type of person with a familiar spirit could reveal it! (The word "occult" means; I cover over-or conceal in secret). The "riches" of the hidden secrets spoken in Isaiah is fact and that they became manifest and fulfilled in a person called Cyrus as "true" and they come to pass as "foretold." So it was with Cyrus the Great King of Persia which biblical history has marked Cyrus well, he appears in the 2nd Book of Chronicles, Ezra, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel).

Verse 3:- "THAT THOU MAYEST KNOW THAT I, THE LORD, WHICH CALL THEE BY THY NAME, AM THE GOD OF ISRAEL". (Or- When Cyrus II's time was reached in history, he would perform in that ancient world, surrounded as they were in gods of all descriptions, the task of acknowledging the "God of Israel" to that ancient world, eventually returning many of the peoples of the House of Judah to their homeland after 70 years of captivity. Then, protecting especially, the "Holy Seed" for the rebuilding of the temple, covering them with a "decree" made after the manner of the Medes and Persians. (Which is a "word" not to be broken). The "decree" continued on into the times of the ruling Kings who were to follow him; as is seen in Ezra chapters 5 and 6).

Verse 4:- "FOR JACOB MY SERVANTS SAKE, (Or- this is the House of Judah the Jew) AND ISRAEL MINE ELECT, (Or- this is the House of Israel whose "elect" children are Christians, after the manner of God's son -Jesus the Christ) I HAVE EVEN CALLED THEE BY THY NAME: (Which is Cyrus) I HAVE SURNAMED THEE, (Or- over and above that name Cyrus. God named him in prophecy that he would become King and Emperor of the Achaemenid line of Persia. Known as Cyrus II the Persian, who was to rule the Babylon, Median, and Assyrian empires. The "surname" of Persian was to be stamped upon Cyrus II, taking him into Daniel's time, as the one to fulfil prophecy.) THOUGH THOU HAST NOT KNOWN ME". (Or- when these words were penned by Isaiah in the 8th century, Cyrus was not even born. His grandfather Teispes was the ruling King of Anshan only, who had been forced to accept over-lordship of Assyria 639-BC by Ashurbanipal, who took Elam.

These ancient secular kings had no knowledge of the "one true God of Israel", only of the myriads of gods and goddesses which surrounded their courts in their lands. These ruling kings only became aware of the "God of Israel" when they entered the land of Israel, to take its people away as punishment. Though Israel would have heard of Cyrus and read of his name being mentioned within Israelite prophecy of old, which had been written down in books in Babylon- Daniel 9:2). Cyrus II The Great, was one person playing dual roles, he was aware of the God of Israel and thanked "Him" for His help and yet he also was aware of the other gods around him in the mysteries of the Babylonian and Persian courts. In other words, he had the "treasures of darkness" in his ignorance of safety from his enemies and the "knowledge" of the "secrets of hidden places" through prophecy given by the prophets of the Most High God.

We read in 2 Chronicles 36:23. "THUS SAITH CYRUS KING OF PERSIA, ALL KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH HATH THE LORD GOD OF HEAVEN GIVEN ME; AND HE HATH CHARGED ME TO BUILD HIM AN HOUSE IN JERUSALEM, WHICH IS IN JUDAH, WHO IS THERE AMONG YOU OF ALL HIS PEOPLE? THE LORD HIS GOD BE WITH HIM, AND LET HIM GO UP". Here Cyrus the Persian acknowledges the God of Israel and is aware that God has "surnamed" him in history.

However, in an excerpt from Werner Keller's wonderful book called "The Bible as History", we read another part of Cyrus king of Persia. From a cylinder of writing held with the British Museum in which Cyrus takes note and thanks other gods also. "CYLINDER OF CYRUS", WHICH TELLS OF THE BLOODLESS OCCUPATION OF BABYLON. THE KING DECLARES HE MADE GOOD THE WRONG DONE BY HIS PREDECESSORS BY SENDING CAPTIVES HOME. HE HELPED IN THE REBUILDING OF THEIR TEMPLES AND THE RETURN OF THEIR GODS. THIS EDICT INCLUDED THE JEWS.- FROM BABYLON, CYLINDER FIRED CLAY". The cylinder itself spells out the words spoken by Cyrus II. "WHEN I ENTERED BABYLON IN PEACE, AND TOOK UP MY ROYAL ABODE IN THE PALACE OF THE PRINCES AMID ACCLAMATION AND SHOUTS OF JOY, THE MIGHTY LORD MARDUK INCLINED THE GREAT HEARTS OF THE BABYLONIANS TOWARDS ME --I LIBERATED THOSE WHO DWELT IN BABYLON FROM THE YOKE THAT CHAFED THEM --I AM CYRUS, KING OF ALL THINGS, THE GREAT KING -- KING OF THE EARTH--". SO RUNS THE INSCRIPTION IN BABYLONIAN CHARACTERS ON THE CLAY CYLINDER OF CYRUS. THE LAST WORDS MIGHT ALMOST SUGGEST THAT THE BIBLICAL CHRONICLER HAD THEM IN MIND. THUS SAITH CYRUS KING OF PERSIA, ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THE EARTH HATH THE LORD GOD OF HEAVEN GIVEN ME--(2 Chronicles 36:23). IN 539 BC A YEAR AFTER CYRUS HAD BEATEN THE ARMY OF NABONIDUS, THE BABYLONIAN KING - THE OCCUPATION OF BABYLON BY THE PERSIANS SETTLED THE FATE OF THE LAST GREAT EMPIRE OF MESOPOTAMIA. THE TIME HAD COME OF WHICH IT WAS SAID: --AFTER SEVENTY YEARS BE ACCOMPLISHED AT BABYLON I WILL VISIT YOU --IN CAUSING YOU TO RETURN TO THIS PLACE". (Jeremiah 29:10). So, one can see from these quotations of Keller's that Cyrus II had a foot in 2 camps of gods, that of The God of Israel and the Lord Marduk god of Babylon etc. One foot was for "secret places" of prophecy of the God of Israel, the other foot for the treasures of darkness"!

Let us now go back to "who" the 3 kings of Persia were "who stood up" and have a quick look into their characters and abilities when reigning on the throne of the Medes and Persians, as spoken of in verse Daniel 11:2.

From the book of Ezra chapter 4, we "first" have Darius I Hystaspes, who ascended the throne of the Medes and Persians in secular and biblical history, who seemed to be under a cloud of question marks. After Cyrus II "The Great" was killed in 530 BC returning east to fight the nomads, his eldest son Cambyses II took his father's throne. Cyrus II had established kingship of the Medes and Persians by personal force and military success and the anointing of God and not by hereditary descent. So, upon his death therefore, revolts broke out. Cambyses had been preparing to go on an expedition to Egypt when his father was killed. So, he postponed his trip to lay claim to the throne with the army being loyal to him. The other claimant to the throne was his brother Bardyia, -Who the Greeks called Smerdis- who, some scholars say was put to death by Cambyses. In 526 BC Cambyses went on his delayed military campaigns to Egypt and to the Greeks at Cyrene. While Cambyses was away the revolts in the land still went on. In Iran a man of a priestly cast called Gaumata took the throne, who asserted he was the son of Cyrus II, because he bore a strong resemblance to the murdered Smerdis, which influenced the Persians greatly. Cambyses, it is said, committed suicide in a fit of despair. Many peoples who were loyal to the "Achaemenids", -the ruling "House" of Cyrus II of Persia,- supported a distant relative who was Darius son of King Hystaspes of Parthia. Darius I ascended and claimed the throne in 522 BC, he executed Gaumata and suppressed the revolt. -He is first of the "3 Kings" in Ezra chapter 4- and Daniel. Questions remain to this day overshadowing Darius I's succession, whether "he" was the brains behind the deaths of Smerdis and even Cambyses, perhaps one will never know! Anyway, Darius I Hystaspes reigned upon the throne of the Medes and Persians for 36 years. (522 BC to 486 BC).

During his reign he attempted many times to conquer Greece but failed, his army was defeated at the famous battle of the plain of Marathon in 490 BC. This is where the Athenians joined by the Plataeans fought the Persians, who outnumbered the Greeks by two to one. The Persian army boasted approx. 30,000 men.

Darius like Cyrus II was called "The Great", because like Cyrus, he respected other peoples and other religions. We find the story of Darius I's concessions to the "House of Judah" (Jew) to rebuild the temple at Jerusalem and its walls. From Ezra chapter 4 and chapters 5 and 6. Which gives one the "reason" why Darius I upheld Cyrus II's "decree" for the rebuilding. The work had stopped after Cyrus II's death until the second year of Darius I. (Ezra 4:24). The house was then finished during the sixth year of the reign of Darius I. (Ezra 6:15).

One must not overlook that Ezra's chapters, especially chapter 4, are a summing up of what happened in the lineage of the Medes and Persians and their actions, towards bringing about the return of the "House of Judah" after 70 years captivity and the important part that, that "decree" written down by Cyrus II played in that return. It was the "word" of the Medes and Persians which could not be broken, so it had to be fulfilled from one important ruler that will "stand up" prominently, to the next. Darius I was also the greatest royal architect of all his dynasty, setting about building Persia as befits his status, Darius died in 486 BC.

We come now to the "second" King of Daniel 11:2 and in Ezra chapter 4, called Ahasueras Or as secular history calls him Xerxes I son of Darius I and successor to the throne of Medes and Persia. He was born in 519 BC and was also the son of Atossa daughter of Cyrus II. Xerxes was 35 years old when he came to the throne of Persia and had been a governor and prince of Babylon for approx. 12 years. During his reign Xerxes had gathered enormous resources from the empire, through multiple taxation; He had a vast construction program building a palace and treasury. Amongst the new buildings was a gigantic terrace for the massive Audience Hall, which had been erected by his father Darius. Xerxes built a palace for himself and also had the palace built by his father completed. Many monuments and buildings did the city of Persepolis contain, such as a Harem and a "Hall of one hundred columns", a Throne Room with a colossal style to his buildings. We turn to Esther 1:1-7, in which is the pomp and glorification of this throne of Xerxes.

Verse 1:- "NOW IT CAME TO PASS IN THE DAYS OF AHASUERAS, (this is Ahasueras which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces)".
Verse 2:- "THAT IN THOSE DAYS, WHEN THE KING AHASUERAS SAT ON THE THRONE OF HIS KINGDOM, WHICH WAS IN SHUSHAN THE PALACE".
Verse 3:- "IN THE THIRD YEAR OF HIS REIGN, HE MADE A FEAST UNTO ALL HIS PRINCES AND HIS SERVANTS; THE POWER OF PERSIA AND MEDIA, THE NOBLES AND PRINCES OF THE PROVINCES, BEING BEFORE HIM".
Verse 4:- "WHEN HE SHEWED THE RICHES OF HIS GLORIOUS KINGDOM AND THE HONOUR OF HIS EXCELLENT MAJESTY MANY DAYS, EVEN AN HUNDRED AND FOURSCORE DAYS".
Verse 5:- "AND WHEN THESE DAYS WERE EXPIRED, THE KING MADE A FEAST UNTO ALL THE PEOPLE THAT WERE PRESENT IN SHUSHAN THE PALACE, BOTH UNTO GREAT AND SMALL, SEVEN DAYS IN THE COURT OF THE GARDEN OF THE KING'S PALACE";
Verse 6:- "WHERE WERE WHITE, GREEN, AND BLUE, HANGINGS, FASTENED WITH CORDS OF FINE LINEN AND PURPLE TO SILVER RINGS AND PILLARS OF MARBLE; THE BEDS WERE OF GOLD AND SILVER, UPON A PAVEMENT OF RED, AND BLUE, AND WHITE, AND BLACK MARBLE".
Verse 7:- "AND THEY GAVE THEM DRINK IN VESSELS OF GOLD, (the vessels being diverse one from another) AND ROYAL WINE IN ABUNDANCE, ACCORDING TO THE STATE OF THE KING".

Well, reader, we must "stop" right here in the translations of these verses, because there is a deep controversy amongst biblical scholars, around the understanding of these "3 kings of Persia" spoken by Daniel which are written in Ezra chapters 4, 5, 6, and 7, which controversy settles completely on the "Ahasueras" or Xerxes, within verse 6 of Ezra 4. Scholars say that Ahasueras in verse 6 is none other than the Cambyses II of secular history, who took the throne (529-521 BC). (Remembering reader, I said earlier that he was the son of Cyrus II the Great, who took his own life in Egypt). Scholars go on to say, that this Ahasueras of verse 6, is "not" the Ahasueras of Esther, (Who is also the Xerxes of secular history (485 BC). They then go further and say that the "Artaxerxes" of Ezra 4:7 is identical with "Ahasueras" of Ezra 4:6. (i.e., the Cambyses of profane history.) They go on to say, Artaxerxes however of Ezra 7:1. Is the "Longimanus" of secular history (BC 418).

Let's try and sort out this "controversy" reader and make it a little clearer to understand. First let us get Artaxerxes I in Ezra 7:1 out of the way. He "is" "certainly" Longamanus who they suggest. The same Artaxerxes Longamanus (Longhand) who is also in Nehemiah 2:1, 13:6. Also the same Artaxerxes (Longhand) in Ezra 4:7. Artaxerxes Longhand is the "third king" of Daniel 11:2. He was Xerxes son and he reigned 40 years. This was a "Persian king" who was to "stand up" in the "strength" of his ruling as told in Daniel 11:2; Having control of the "holy seed" (Jerusalem) and of the holy city Jerusalem and of the land of Judah. He was King of Babylon, king of Judah, king of Persia etc.

Too much is made by bible scholars of the ineffectual Cambyses II, son of Cyrus II the Great. Who was too busy in secular history taking the Persian throne to worry about the Jews, Jerusalem, or a "decree" to allow them to return to their homeland. Cambyses II only reigned 6 years and in that time he did not "ascend" his father Cyrus's throne, he had to fight for it amongst other claimants. Cyrus II was the first king of the combined Medes and Persians, so the dynasty had not been established at all when he died. His grandfather Cyrus I was king of Anshan and Parsumah only and his father Cambyses I was also king of Anshan, so neither ruled the empire that Cyrus II carved out for himself.

I have told you before reader, that Daniel's prophecy is only interested in all the rulers throughout secular history for one reason, is how they were to affect the "2 houses of Israel" throughout their long journey through history. The kings "stand up" in history for that "reason" only. As one can further see in each verse of Daniel chapter 11 as its unfurled in the time zones of history to come.

Scholars connect Cambyses II only with profane history, (Or- history not sacred or relevant to God) which is exactly what I am saying of him. Ezra 4:6 gives one the "beginning" of an answer who "this" Ahasueras was.
Verse 6:- "AND IN THE REIGN OF AHASUERAS, IN THE BEGINNING OF HIS REIGN, WROTE THEY UNTO HIM AN ACCUSATION AGAINST THE INHABITANTS OF JUDAH AND JERUSALEM". To "reign" is to be in absolute power, to hold supreme power and authority in Persia, as "Ahasueras" or as the name implies -"Majesty". Cambyses II was not in complete control of supreme authority at all. In the beginning of Cambyses II's "reign" revolts were the order of the day, with 3 known claimants to the throne after Cyrus II's death, because no succession had been arranged. It was a completely "new" royal seat, 'up for grabs' as the saying goes, not much different to that of Alexander the Great's new "empire seat" and his early death, with power struggles ensuing. It took Cambyses II 4 years to quell revolts and kill his brother, before he felt safe enough to go to Egypt with his army and when his back was turned another, Gaumata, claimed this throne.

I think the problem of the return of Judah, Jerusalem and of the "holy seed", under a "decree" made by Cyrus the Great, would have been the last thing on his mind at that time!

The "accusation" -or- impeachment within Ezra 4:6, during Xerxes reign, bringing a "charge against" by an "accuser" upon the people from the land of Judah, was the climax of continued indignation against the Jew. It was made through many years of the Jews adversaries (through rulers) who were people of the land of Persia, which Ezra 4:1,4,5 explains, that the adversaries of these Judean people had hired counsellors -or- paid for the services of persons who would give legal advice to plead their cause which frustrated, -or- were fraudulent, which brought to nothing the purpose of the "House of Judah" returning to its own land. That frustration of this fraud went on all the days of Cyrus II the Great, for 30 years (559-529 BC), even unto the reign of Darius king of Persia (BC 521-486) 35 years. Verse 6:- The frustrations went on into "Ahasueras" reign, (BC 486-464) 22 years, and as verse 7;- says, went on into the days of "Artaxerxes", (BC 464-424) 40 years. Note well reader, verse 5 of Ezra 4, says. Those hired legal advisers -or- counsellors frustrated Judah "all the days of Cyrus King of Persia, even", ("even" meaning -or- exactly and moreover). The frustrations went on until the reign of Darius I King of Persia. Between the death of Cyrus II of Persia and Darius I of Persia was 8 years and during these years Cambyses II and his brother Smerdis, made their bid for that throne. These 8 years were full of frustrations for Judah, with Cambyses II who took that throne, doing nothing for them, not even to rate a mention in Scripture until Darius I Hystaspes came on the scene!

Why then do biblical scholars say that Ezra 4:6 called "Ahasueras" is Cambyses II, when Darius I came after Cambyses overcoming all obstacles? Verse 6 specifically says that "AND IN THE REIGN OF AHASUERAS IN THE BEGINNING OF HIS REIGN. (The beginning of Cambyses II reign was of revolts for almost 4 years then he went to Egypt) WROTE THEY (Or- a letter by a scribe) UNTO HIM (The King) AN ACCUSATION (Or- a charge brought against) AGAINST THE INHABITANTS OF JUDAH AND JERUSALEM". The "charge or accusation" which was brought against the Jews of the House of Judah, who were within Persia itself and into the "province" of Judah, is written in the book of Esther chapter 3. It was in the 12th year or the beginning of Ahasueras -or- Xerxes reign, (Remembering he reigned for 22 years) of which verse 7 speaks (Cambyses II was 8 years). Then Esther 3:8-10 goes onto say, "AND HAMAN SAID UNTO THE KING AHASUERAS, THERE IS A CERTAIN PEOPLE SCATTERED ABROAD AND DISPERSED AMONG THE PEOPLE IN ALL THE PROVINCES OF THY KINGDOM; AND THEIR LAWS ARE DIVERSE FROM ALL PEOPLE; NEITHER KEEP THEY THE KINGS LAWS; THEREFORE IT IS NOT FOR THE KINGS PROFIT TO SUFFER THEM";
Verse 9:- "IF IT PLEASE THE KING, LET IT BE WRITTEN THAT THEY MAY BE DESTROYED; AND I WILL PAY TEN THOUSAND TALENTS OF SILVER TO THE HANDS OF THOSE THAT HAVE THE CHARGE OF THE BUSINESS, TO BRING IT INTO THE KINGS TREASURIES".
Verse 10:- "AND THE KING TOOK HIS RING FROM HIS HAND, AND GAVE IT UNTO HAMAN THE SON OF HAMMEDATHA THE AGAGITE, THE JEWS ENEMY".

The ring being used for the purpose of a seal for letters as verse 12 relates; That "accusation" brought about "against" all the nation of the Jews of the House of Judah, was recorded for your learning reader, in the book of Esther and "established" for your understanding in verse 6 of Ezra.

This is the wonderful way our Heavenly Father's Law hides its secrets through time and history until the "appointed time" to understand and know is reached! The whole book of Ezra is written in a very complex way for that reason, it "is" as I said before, a summary of events concerning the "decree" towards the "holy seed" within the Jewish nation.

The first chapters of Ezra, namely 1,2 and 3 tell the story of the "decree" and its adversaries, under Cyrus II. In Ezra chapter 4, Ahasueras or Xerxes is hidden in verse 6. Then from verse 7 of Ezra the story of the "decree" and its adversaries is told again "during" the reign of Artaxerxes I (Longhand) who was Xerxes son, and recorded during his 40 year reign, which takes us up to verses 23 and 24 of the same chapter 4. Let us see into these verses.
Verse 23:- "NOW WHEN THE COPY OF KING ARTAXERXES LETTER WAS READ BEFORE REHUM, AND SHIMSHAI THE SCRIBE, AND THEIR COMPANIES, THEY WENT UP IN HASTE TO JERUSALEM UNTO THE JEWS, AND MADE THEM TO CEASE BY FORCE AND POWER".
Verse 24:- "THEN CEASED THE WORK OF THE HOUSE OF GOD WHICH IS AT JERUSALEM. SO IT CEASED UNTO THE SECOND YEAR OF THE REIGN OF DARIUS KING OF PERSIA".

Now reader, the story of the work "ceasing," under Artaxerxes, should finish in verse 24 at the "end" of the word "Jerusalem", before the remainder of the continuing story is told. Because, from the word "so" in that same verse begins "another" episode of the frustrations of the work ceasing, at Jerusalem in the land of Judah, this time under Darius I- Hystaspes in the second year of his reign.

The little word "so" is used much in writing yet has connotations that can put a different light upon the telling of the story. "So," really forms part of the expressions, such as, also, whosoever, in this or that manner, thus, to that degree, as has been said or stated, so forth and so on, such being the case for this reason. From the word "so" in verse 24 the story now tells of the frustrations of Judah under Darius I and continues on into chapter 5:1. The word "so" is saying, "such being the case under Artaxerxes, as being said and stated," it also ceased under Darius I. - Because we read in verse 24 that Darius I story is stated "after" Artaxerxes reign, making the direct lineage of these kings out of sequence. Darius I came after Cyrus II, and Artaxerxes last as verses 5,6,7, of Ezra 4 have already established. Darius I, story and dealings with Judah, then continues on into chapter 5 from verse 1, then chapter 6 to verse 22. Then again we have chapter 7:1 returning back to Artaxerxes, under whom this summary was written.

Under Ahasueras -or- Xerxes, in verse 6 of Ezra 4, there is no need to tell of the Jewish plight, because it's already recorded in the book of Esther. Under Xerxes, the problem of the Jews was a "direct accusation", or a "charge" brought against the Jews to kill them, whereas the other times under other kings of Persia the problems were utter frustrations.

One must not forget also that the empire of the Medes and Persians began under Cyrus II and his lineage died out early with his sons, from the line of the Achaemenes, though the name lingers on, through the Persians being called Achaemenids. The Persian dynasty of succession we are dealing with here however, was started with Darius I, of the Ariaramnes lineage and did continue from him unto the end, which is the one under the cloud of controversy that we are unravelling here. The controversy surrounding Xerxes I, exists "because" of the book of Esther, which details for us the riches and power that Xerxes I, inherited from those gone before him, to which his father Darius was "the" greatest builder, whose power was also built up in his 35-year reign also giving Xerxes his supreme authority.

This father and son power was akin to the times of the Tudors of British history, when Henry VII fought for the throne of England, established his dynasty, penny pinched his way into a large treasury and set about all round to make his son Henry VIII inherit riches, power and a strong throne.

In order for biblical scholars to squeeze Ahasueras Xerxes, into fulfilling Daniel 11:2 prophecy, of the fourth King of Persia with vast riches, they completely upset dates of history in their time zones and rearrange prophetic utterances to suit themselves. This we shall see for ourselves as I continue to explain "truth", for which Daniel emphatically states we must "look for", in Daniel 11:2. Ahasuerus-Xerxes I, (Is king number 2 of Daniel chapter 11), he also took over the plans to invade Greece, which plans had been started by his father Darius I Hystaspes. He returned to Greece in 481-480 BC and Xerxes led a combined land and sea invasion of Greece. The Persians won Northern Greece and Athens was taken by Persian land forces. The Persian fleet however lost at the battle of Salamis, so the impetus of the Greek invasion was blunted. Xerxes decided to return home and left his general Mardonius in charge of further operations. The real end of the invasion came with the battle of Plataea and the fall of Thebes, which had been a stronghold of pro-Persian forces. There was also a naval loss at Mycale in 479 BC Mardonius was killed sending the leaderless Persians into disarray, as they were much less disciplined than the Greeks, ending in their collapse. Though hostilities with Greece continued for another 13 years after. Xerxes it seems lost interest in the Persian military ambitions towards Greece and immersed himself instead in the pleasures and intrigues of his court, which were eventually to take his life in assassination, after the battle of Salamis in 480 B.C. Xerxes the King lived for another 15 years, and during that time he further depleted the enormous resources of Persia by his vast programme of constructing buildings. In 465 BC. Ahasueras Xerxes was killed by members of his court and his son Artaxerxes I succeeded him.

The story of the third king of Persia from Daniel's prophecy, namely Artaxerxes is well documented in Ezra and Nehemiah. Secular history says of him, that he was nicknamed Longimanus (Longhand) and reigned from 465-424 BC) being the third son of Xerxes I. His 2 brothers were Darius II-Ochus and Secydianus who was Satrap of Bactria. After Xerxes was murdered by the commander of the guard named Artabanus, Artaxerxes was most probably very cautious of the intrigues of the court around him. He survived them however being on the throne for 40 years. His reign was generally peaceful, except for several revolts here and there and a dangerous rebellion of Egypt with assistance from the Greek Athenians, the fighting coming to an end in 448 BC. In biblical history of this third king of Persia-, of which Daniel speaks,- we find this king Artaxerxes also wrestling with the problems of the House of Judah (Jew). He also has to take note of the "decree" commissioned by Cyrus II, to help the "holy seed" (Jerusalem) return to their native land, to build the temple at Jerusalem in the land of Judah and to build its walls etc; First Artaxerxes (Longhand) was to forbid the building at Jerusalem, (Ezra 4:7-23), then he permitted the buildings (Ezra 6:14). In the 7th year of Artaxerxes reign (458 BC), the men of the "holy seed" with Ezra, leads some of the exiles back to Jerusalem, (Ezra 7: 1,11,12). In the 20th year of Artaxerxes reign (433 BC) he allowed Nehemiah to revisit Jerusalem, becoming governor of that restored city, (Nehemiah 13:6, 5:14). So, the time lapse from Cyrus II to Artaxerxes, for the struggles of the "holy seed" under the original "decree" to return to Jerusalem was a long one, a century passes between these 2 kings. So 20 years had passed since the foundations of the rebuilding of the temple had been laid at Jerusalem, between the first year of Cyrus II, for the "decree" (Ezra 6:3) and when Darius I came to the throne. The rebuilding of the temple started approx; 520 BC and completed approx; 515-14 BC. It was in 444 BC that Nehemiah under Artaxerxes, saw to the "wall" being finished in 52 days. (Nehemiah 6:15). This was not a new wall but repairs to the existing walls.

So ended the life of Artaxerxes son of Xerxes who "stood up" in his strength for the "decree" for the House of Judah, after approx; 41 years on the throne of the Medes and Persians. At this point of unravelling the kings of Persia to fulfil prophecy, we go back to its "source", Daniel 11:2 and the continuation of that verse. "AND THE FOURTH (Persian king) SHALL BE FAR RICHER THAN ALL; AND BY HIS STRENGTH THROUGH HIS RICHES HE SHALL STIR UP ALL AGAINST THE REALM OF GRECIA". It is "this fourth king" of Persia that biblical scholars again lose control over prophecy. Whereas Daniel, is referring to the very last king of Persia whose name was Darius III, Codomannus. 336-330 BC Darius III "stands up" in history during his short reign of 6 years, because he caused the "sun to set" on the Persian Empire, also allowed the blessing for Japheth written so long ago, to be fulfilled! Namely- Genesis 9:27. "GOD SHALL ENLARGE JAPHETH, AND HE SHALL DWELL IN THE TENTS OF SHEM; AND CANAAN SHALL BE HIS SERVANT". When Greece (Japheth) crossed over into Persia and its provinces (Shem), he entered into the tents of his brother and changed the "order" of life. From that time the movement of Israel (also Semites) was to accelerate into the West. Before we enter the story of Darius III Codomannus, let us see reader what kings came after Xerxes I and Artaxerxes I.

Next in lineage to the throne of Persia after Artaxerxes, was Darius II called Ochus, - or- also known as Nothus (meaning bastard), son of Artaxerxes, (Longhand) who reigned from 423 BC-404 BC. His mother was a Babylonian concubine. -Darius had been the Satrap of Hyramia. He seized the throne from his half-brother Secydimis or Sogdiamis, who had been Satrap of Bactria, whom he had executed. Darius II adopted that name for his ruling and during his reign intrigue, corruption and revolts were rife because the people were so discontented with his rule. He also warred with the Greeks, he was defeated at Syracuse in 413 BC but also had some success against them. Amalgamating with Sparta against Athenian power in Asia Minor and won the battle in 405 BC. After 19 years on the throne of Persia he died of an illness in Babylon.

The next to take the throne was Artaxerxes II called Mnemon by the Greeks, (meaning the mindful) son of Darius II who ruled Persia 404 to 359/8 BC. He was known especially for being the first Persian king to set up images of the gods and goddesses invoking the Old Iranian deities. Artaxerxes II had a long reign of approx; 46 years and from the time he took the Persian throne the Peloponnesian War with Greece of 431-404 saw the power of Athens being broken. Thus, making cities and towns etc; in Anatolia (Asia Minor-or-Turkey), once more under the Persian Empire. In 404 BC Artaxerxes II lost Egypt. In 405 BC his brother Cyrus was head of a rebellion against him being killed in 401 BC. The rebellion caused Sparta to come out against the Persians in 400 BC, but Sparta's navy was destroyed in 394 BC, who then concluded a peace treaty with Artaxerxes in 386 BC. There were many battles and expeditions here and there, with Egypt, Armenia, Iran and the Greek mainland. He died approx; 359/8 BC. Next in line to the Persian throne came Artaxerxes III called Ochus, who reigned 359/358 to 338 BC, son of Artaxerxes II. He has gone down in history as a cruel ruler, having put to death most of his relatives to secure the throne for himself. He forced Athens to sue for peace in 355 BC and attempted to subjugate Egypt 351 BC having failed. Nevertheless, in 343 BC he defeated the Egyptian Pharaoh and replaced him with a Persian satrap. In 340 BC. Phillip of Macedon attacked the Persian territories in Asia Minor (Anatolia). Artaxerxes III had a favourite eunuch named Bagoas, who ruled the court and upper Satrapies of Persia, his treachery was seen when he killed Artaxerxes and his eldest sons in 338 BC placing upon the empty throne Arses the youngest son. Which brings us to Arses who reigned 338 to 336 BC, a very short reign indeed in the cruel intrigues of the Persian court. Little is known of him in secular history other then he clashed with Phillip of Macedon who had invaded Persian territory. He too fell afoul of the eunuch Bagoas whose tyrannical control of Persia forced Arses to try and poison him. Instead Arses and all his children were killed. The evil Bagoas whereupon gave the throne to an heir and grandnephew of Artaxerxes II called Darius III Codomannus, who was to be the "last" king of the Achaemenid dynasty of the Medes and Persians.

From this quick rundown of Persian kings after Ahasueras/Xerxes, one can see reader that from secular history alone, - which covers approx; a hundred years- that the Persian Empire of the Achaemenid line from Cyrus to Darius III had not come to an end. The Persians continually fought the Greek states, even from the time of Cyrus II "The Great" in 544 BC? - Croesus of Lydia, (From whom came the expression "as rich as Croesus"). Who went to war against Cyrus II whom Cyrus defeated and twice reduced Lydia anew, because it revolted against Cyrus. He took the Greek cities of Asia Minor and put them under Persian administration. Both Persia and Greece were continually warring all through the centuries, it was nothing new. Not until "one" leader rose up in Greece who amalgamated all the warring states of Greece, then picked them up pawed the ground with his feet in fury, then took them head on into Persia, ramming with his "goat horn" all before him as he charged. That young strong horn goat's name was Alexander the Great.

When Daniel spoke of the fourth king of Persia far richer than they all, he is speaking of Darius Codomannus, and not Xerxes/Ahasueras as biblical scholars say. We shall now have a quick "rundown" in secular and biblical history "why" it is so? As we have already seen, the Persian eunuch Bagoas had killed so many members of the royal household, that Darius Codomannus held the closest bloodline claim to the throne, being a grandnephew of Artaxerxes II. Darius III Codomannus reigned 336-330 BC and he inherited not only the Median- Persian empire as such, but also the grandeur of Persia with the extra cities of Pasargadae and Persepolis that Darius I and Xerxes had built. We have already read reader of Phillip of Macedon, -(Alexander the Great's father)-who in 337 BC had founded the "League of Corinth," for the purpose of releasing the Greek city states from Persian rule. He had in 340 BC, attacked Persian territories in Asia Minor (Anatolia) during the reign of Artaxerxes III. Again, under the rule of the Persian Arses he and Phillip of Macedon clashed 338 BC. In 336 BC Phillip sent an advanced force of 10,000 men who crossed the Hellespont into Asia Minor and during this time at his daughter's wedding Phillip was assassinated. (Some historical writings say Darius III was behind it)?

Let us return to Daniel's prophecies and see how absolutely "exact" they are, which do not rely on speculation and conjecture. Which seems to be the rule of so many enlightened scholars. Let us turn to Daniel 8:2-6.
Verse 2:- "AND I SAW IN A VISION; AND IT CAME TO PASS, WHEN I SAW, THAT I WAS AT SHUSHAN IN THE PALACE, WHICH IS IN THE PROVINCE OF ELAM; AND I SAW IN A VISION, AND I WAS BY THE RIVER OF ULAI".
Verse 3:- "THEN I LIFTED UP MINE EYES, AND SAW, AND BEHOLD, THERE STOOD BEFORE THE RIVER.(-Or- In verse 2 of the same chapter Daniel speaks of the River Ulai or- the River Eulaeus (as scholars say), amongst the 3 streams, or canals, near the summer palace of Susa-Shushan. This is a river "beyond" Shushan and towards the Tigris River, because in verse 2 Daniel is standing "at" the river Ulai. When he "lifted up his eyes". -Or- "His eyes are looking beyond" that river in Shushan!) A RAM WHICH HAD 2 HORNS (Or- a male of the sheep which buts with its head as an engine of war. Its 2 horns were named the Medes and Persians.) AND THE TWO HORNS WERE HIGH: (Or- rising much above the ground elevated and lofty, in rank and pride.) BUT ONE WAS HIGHER THAN THE OTHER, AND THE HIGHER CAME UP LAST". (Or- though these people were called firstly Medes and Persians. The bloodline of the Medes, as history shows, died out with Cyrus II the Great and his sons, Cambyses and Smerdis. Whereas, the bloodline of Persia "dominated" from Darius I and Persia's power came up last of the 2 lines and lasted longer, therefore "higher").
Verse 4:- "I SAW THE RAM PUSHING WESTWARD, (Or- towards Greece) AND NORTHWARD, (Bactria, Sogdiana) AND SOUTHWARD; (Egypt and Arabia) SO THAT NO BEASTS MIGHT STAND BEFORE HIM, NEITHER WAS THERE ANY THAT COULD DELIVER OUT OF HIS HAND; BUT HE DID ACCORDING TO HIS WILL AND BECAME GREAT".
Verse 5:- "AND AS I WAS CONSIDERING, BEHOLD, AN HE GOAT (Or- an animal the size of a sheep with long hair and horns, considered unclean, with a disagreeable smell) CAME FROM THE WEST ON THE FACE OF THE WHOLE EARTH, (or- out of many men as if overpouring the earth) AND TOUCHED NOT THE GROUND; (Or- swift as a leopard to its prey) AND THE GOAT (Or- United Greece under Phillip of Macedon) HAD A NOTABLE HORN BETWEEN HIS EYES". (Or- this "he" brought forth a son Alexander the Great, who was to fight "for" that same goat, Phillip).
Verse 6:- "AND HE CAME TO THE RAM THAT HAD 2 HORNS; (Or- the king of the Medes and Persians) WHICH I HAD SEEN STANDING BEFORE THE RIVER (Or- here we have classification of verse 3 and the "river" where the battle would be fought and end ) AND RAN UNTO HIM IN THE FURY OF HIS POWER". (Or- "he" of the goat took the fight into Persia itself, which was a daring thing to do for the Macedonians. It usually happened that the Persians went through Asia Minor and crossed the Hellespont to thrash the Greeks).

Now let us clarify the mention of -"the river"- and "River Ulai"- spoken of in these verses of Daniel's because this is essential for "timing" prophecies and proving history. The capital of Shushan-or- Susa in the ancient lands of Elam, during the Assyrian predominance in this area (700 BC), were the hunting grounds of the kings of the Medes. Elam was a province beyond the River Tigris, which River emptied into the Persian Gulf. This part of the world from Elam, going north went on through Mesopotamia, Babylon, Assyria, Media, Armenia, etc; was honeycombed with rivers and streams, with the great River Euphrates straddling from the Persian Gulf to Haran in the North and beyond. So when Alexander crossed the Hellespont in 334 BC into Asia Minor going headlong into Persia running as a leopard, he stood before "many" rivers to fight Darius III and the Persians. The first great battle was at the River Granicus 334 BC not far from the Hellespont (Or- the Dardanelles). Historical scholars say that Darius III did not resist the invasion of Alexander crossing the Hellespont as he should have, consequently, Alexander defeated the Persian army at the "Granicus River". The Persians fell back deeper into Persian territory, then Darius III with his army advanced against Alexander and both made a stand, each side the "River Pinarus" at Issus in 333 BC. Once more Alexander defeated Darius III and his army and won Asia Minor for the Greeks. Whereupon, Darius III Codomannus fled the scene of battle leaving behind him his family, which consisted of his mother, wife, children, and his harem, who fell into Alexander's hands and his oncoming troops as spoils of war. Eventually Darius III offered a very large ransom of talents of gold (some scholars say 10,000? others 50,000 talents or- Greek talents of gold were weighed approx; 25.8 kilograms) which offer Alexander refused. The Greeks now went on into Mesopotamia and for the last time met Darius and his army in 331 BC at the Plain of Gaugamela near the "Tigris River". Again, Darius III fled from his enemy and escaped towards Bactria. There he was killed by a Bactrian Satrap who had no love for the cruel Darius III. So reader, chapter 8 of Daniel gives "more" of the story of the fourth King of Persia, namely, Darius III Codomannus and his fight with Alexander at the "river". The story has now filled out from where it originally began, with that small excerpt of Daniel 11:2, of King number 4.

By no stretch of the imagination can one have Xerxes/Ahasueras here fighting Alexander the Great, as some scholars want us to believe. Because Xerxes lived a hundred years "before" this fight at the River with the Grecian armies!

Persia and Greece were old enemies of many centuries, as I have tried to show you reader in my writings. One can see from secular history that Darius III Codomannus indeed, gave his "all" in this fight against Alexander, as Daniel 11:2 says. "AND BY HIS STRENGTH (Or- the might of the Persian empire) THROUGH HIS RICHES HE SHALL STIR UP "ALL" AGAINST THE REALM OF GRECIA". The "all" that Darius III gave, was his family, harem, his army, his realm, his treasure and his life! Let us now go back to this treasure -or- "riches" of which Daniel speaks (in chapter 11 verse 2) of which is the "nub" of the controversy by biblical scholars between who this king was, whose riches were they of Xerxes or Darius III? The proof of the fight between "who" the Persian king "was" (the ram with 2 horns) and the goat with one horn (Greece), depicted in this biblical history. The state of the ram's "riches" can be gleaned from secular history. The Greek writer Plutarch who made note of Darius III's wealth, had said. "FROM THE BATTLE OF THE RIVER GRANICUS, ALEXANDER SENT BACK TO ATHENS IN GREECE AS SPOILS OF WAR, 300 SUITS OF PERSIAN ARMOUR, TO INFORM GREECE OF HIS CONTEMPT FOR THE PERSIANS"! Persia's capital cities each had its treasures, Babylon was the winter capital, Susa-or- Shushan (where Daniel stood and had his vision) was the summer capital and Persepolis the ceremonial capital.

Susa the capital surrendered to Alexander where he found huge treasures amounting to 50,000 gold talents. At Ecbatana he assembled all the Persian treasure before sending it to Greece because he was racing on after Darius III into Bactria. Alexander burned down the palace Xerxes built at Persepolis, but not before he collected a treasure so vast, that it took 20,000 mules and 5,000 camels to remove it. Alexander had thought of conquering the Persian Empire as a source of wealth for Greece, perhaps? But all these treasures were far beyond his wildest thoughts. Alexander was eventually to learn that Darius III was killed by Bessus the Satrap of Bactria. So Alexander sent his body back to Persepolis for burial in the royal tombs. Eventually, Alexander was to capture Bessus -after this man made himself king- and after the manner of the Persians Bessus was flogged, mutilated by losing his nose and ears and publicly executed.

So was Daniel's word's in his "vision" of Daniel 11:2, enacted out to the letter of God's Law; Through his "riches" did Darius III face Alexander before the "Rivers" Granicus, Tigris, etc; and he gave his "all" in doing so!

"Stand up" of the 4 kings "in" Persia.
1:- Darius I 521-486 BC decree of Cyrus II approved. (Ezra 6:12).
2:- Ahasueras/Xerxes. 486-464 BC "accusation" of the Jews -then cancelled- "decree sealed". - Esther 8:8 cancelled. Esther 4:8.
3:- Artaxerxes I 464-424 BC decree of Cyrus II ceased Ezra 4-23. "Decree sealed". Ezra 7:13.
4:- 4th King of Persia. Darius III Codomannus- "vision fulfilled" Daniel 8:2-7 etc;