Dariʹus
.A classic way of spelling Darawesh (king), a Persian title of royalty. Gushtasp or Kishtasp assumed the title of darawesh on ascending the throne, and is the person generally called Darius the Great.
Darius. Seven princes of Persia agreed that he should be king whose horse neighed first to neigh, Darius was proclaimed king.
Dariʹus, conquered by Alexander, was Dara, surnamed kuchek (the younger). When Alexander succeeded to the throne, Dara sent to him for the tribute of golden eggs, but the Macedonian returned for answer, “The bird which laid them is flown to the other world, where Dara must seek them.” The Persian king then sent him a bat and ball, in ridicule of his youth; but Alexander told the messengers, with the bat he would beat the ball of power from their master’s hand. Lastly, Dara sent him a bitter melon, as emblem of the grief in store for him; but the Macedonian declared that he would make the Shah eat his own fruit.
