Journal: Bibliotheca Sacra
Volume: BSAC 66:263 (Jul 1909)
Article: Darius The Median
Author: W. S. Auchincloss

BSac 66:260 (July 1909) p. 536

Darius The Median

W. S. Auchincloss

Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey

Much of the mystery which surrounds the name of this most interesting character of Old Testament history is due to the fact that those who study the book of Daniel lose sight of the invariable custom followed by Old Testament writers of calling a grandson or a granddaughter simply “son “or “daughter,” as the case may have been; for example, Jehu the son of Nimshi and Athaliah the daughter of Omri, instead of saying Jehu the grandson of Nimshi and Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri. The same is true of “Darius the son of Ahasuerus,” a relation which only becomes intelligible to modern minds, when written Darius the grandson of Ahasuerus; or of Cyaxares, because Scaliger assures us that Cyaxares is the Greek for Ahasuerus.

Guided by this clue, we have only to consult Xenophon, Josephus, and Herodotus to fully determine his true place in history, which may be indicated as follows: —

BSac 66:260 (July 1909) p. 537

Ahasuerus = Cyaxares I.
King of the Medes from B.C. 633 to 593.
—The Assuerus of Tobit 14:15.—
His son

Ahasuerus=Cyaxares II. = Darius.
Was born B. C. 600.
As king of Babylon he superseded Gobryas B.C. 538,
and reigned jointly with Cyrus until 536.
Was 62 years old when made king.
(Dan. V. 31.)

That Ahasuerus was one and the same individual as Darius we think is clearly shown by the following references: —

Darius the Median, therefore, was known by a variety of names; for example: —

Darius —Aha...