Iran / Persia: Bas relief of King Darius I or Darius the Great (r. 522-486 BCE) seated on his throne

Darius I (550 - 486 BCE), also known as Darius the Great, was the fourth king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire. The decay and eventual downfall of the empire commenced with his death and the ascension of his son, Xerxes. The decay and eventual downfall of the empire commenced with his death and the ascension of his son, Xerxes I.<br/><br/>The decay and eventual downfall of the empire commenced with his death and the ascension of his son, Xerxes I. This is a relief of the Persian King Darius I seated on a cushioned throne and holding a staff and flower, two traditional symbols of royal power in Persia. The subject approaching Darius to offer tribute stands behind two incense burners, which were intended to keep visitors a respectful distance from the king. The subject approaching Darius to offer tribute stands behind two incense burners, which were intended to keep visitors a respectful distance from the king.