person
Darius III of Persia
Darius
also: Darius, Dareus, Darius Codomannus
The last Achaemenid king of Persia (r. 336-330 BC), defeated by Alexander the Great at the battles of Issus (333 BC) and Gaugamela (331 BC) and later murdered by his own satrap Bessus. Mentioned by Cicero in Fam. 2.10 in connection with the plain of Issus.
Reading notes
- Tusculan Disputations §5.97 Darius, in his flight, when he had drunk water that was muddy and fouled with corpses
Darius III of Persia, fleeing after defeat by Alexander, found foul water sweeter than any drink because of his thirst. The example shows that appetite, not luxury, is the true seasoning of food and drink.