DARIUS2, DARYUS. Darius III (c. 380-330 B.C.) became king of Persia in 336 B.C., when the vizier Bagos killed Artaxerxes III. Soon after he gained the throne, his kingdom was attacked by Alexander, who defeated him at Issus. Alexander went on to Egypt, but returned in 330 to inflict the final defeat at Gaugamela. Darius fled to his eastern provinces, where his soldiers slew him at Alexander's approach (Arrian, Anabasis III.xix-xxii).
Dame Alys says that her fourth husband's tomb was not as fine as the tomb Appelles made for Darius, WBP 495-499. Gautier de Châtillon describes a magnificent tomb made by Appelles for Satira, wife of Darius, Alexandreis IV.176-274, and the tomb Appelles made for Darius at Alexander's command, Alexandreis VII.379-430. The Monk tells of Alexander's defeat of Darius, MkT 2647-2694. [Alisoun3: Appelles]
Darius appears in medial position, MkT 2647; Daryus, a spelling variant, appears in final rhyming position, WBP 498.