Darius I Reorganizes the Persian Empire

After seizing power in 522 BCE, Darius I creates the administrative infrastructure that makes the Persian Empire function. He builds the Royal Road stretching 1,600 miles from Susa to Sardis, introduces the gold darik coin, and organizes the empire into 20-30 satrapies with governors, tax collectors, and royal inspectors. Judah falls within the satrapy 'Beyond the River,' the administrative context behind books like Ezra and Nehemiah.