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Darius the Great: building inscription from Persepolis
Darius the Great on a relief from Persepolis, now at the National archaeological museum of Tehran (Iran). Photo Marco Prins..
Darius, relief from the northern stairs of the Apadana of Persepolis (Archaeological museum, Tehran)
 Darius I (Old Persian Dârayavauš): king of ancient Persia, whose reign lasted from 522 to 486. He seized power after killing king Gaumâta, fought a civil war (described in the Behistun inscription), and was finally able to refound the Achaemenid empire, which had been very loosely organized until then. Darius fought several foreign wars, which brought him to India and Thrace. When he died, the Persian empire had reached its largest extent. He was succeeded by his son Xerxes.

In the following text, to be found on the terrace walls of Persepolis, Darius asks the gods to protect Persia, and tells about the size of his empire. For the full text: go here or here.
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The terrace wall of Persepolis

DPd

A great god is Ahuramazda, the greatest of the gods, who created king Darius and gave him his kingdom. By the favor of Ahuramazda, Darius is king.

King Darius: This country Persia which Ahuramazda gave to me is a good country, full of good horses, full of good men. By the favor of Ahuramazda and of me, king Darius, this country fears no other country.
Inscriptions DPd, DPe, DPf, and DPg on the southern terrace wall of Persepolis. Photo Marco Prins.
Inscriptions DPd, DPe, DPf, and DPg on the southern terrace wall of Persepolis
King Darius says: May Ahuramazda and the gods of the royal house come to my aid. May Ahuramazda protect this country from invaders, from famine, and from the Lie! May there never be upon this country an army, famine, or the Lie! This I pray as a favor from Ahuramazda and the gods of the royal house. May Ahuramazda and the gods of the royal house do me this favor!
 
 

DPe

I am Darius the great king, the king of kings, the king of many countries, the son of Hystaspes, an Achaemenid.
DPd at Persepolis. Photo Marco Prins.
Inscription DPd
By the favor of Ahuramazda these are the countries which I got into my possession along with this Persian people, which felt fear of me and bore me tribute : Elam, Media, Babylonia, Arabia, Assyria, Egypt, Armenia, Cappadocia, Lydia, the Greeks who are of the mainland and those who are by the sea, and countries which are across the sea, Sagartia, Parthia, Drangiana, Aria, Bactria, Sogdia, Chorasmia, Sattagydia, Arachosia, Hinduš, Gandara, Sacae, Maka.

King Darius: If you think, "I fear no one else," than protect the Persians. Because when the Persians are protected, their happiness will remain unbroken, and the favor of Ahuramazda will come down upon the royal house.
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