(Daniel 1:17) Daniels visions were the visions of the things to come. (Dan.9:24) Yet much criticism has arisen about the writings in the Book of Daniel. To achieve criticism its authenticity is been questioned. I have many questions about the book of Daniel as a whole, yet I will only focus on the time during Medo-Persian Empire, because just like the controversy surrounding the book of Daniel there is some controversy about Medo-Persia. .
Persia, under Cyrus, defeated the Babylonians in 538 B.C. giving him domination over Mesopotamia, Assyria, Syria and Palestine. The first of the world's great imperial organizations, the Persian Empire was Beneficent and humane compared with the Assyrian Empire due to its sincerity towards the Jews. The empire cut into provinces and efficient forms of local governments where allowed to remain with language and religion intact. Judah was a minor province of Persia but under the Governors of Syria. The Jewish nation dispersed throughout the Persian Empire. Decrees of Cyrus and his successors, allowed a remnant, to return to their land and re-establish temple worship. Let us discuss for a moment who was Darius. Was he an epiphany? I ask this question, because in my mind it seems as though Darius just appeared almost like a figure in the author imagination. .
Dan. 5:30-31 says, "That very night Belshazzar, king of the Babylonians, was slain. And Darius the Mede took over the kingdom, at the age of sixty two." .
However, according to Williams "Babylon was conquered by Cyrus of Persia under the leadership of Darius the Mede." Another view is that "there are no historical trace accounts of Darius." (e.g., Alighieri)." However, my question continues to be unanswered, as there appears to be conflict regarding the role of Darius and when Cyrus actually took over rule. In the book "Pay Attention to Daniel's Prophecy", it is said that Darius is a "fictitious character" described by many, yet the author goes on to says, "the precise identity of this king may not be known, but it is hardly grounds to label Darius fictitious.