Close up of Darius the Great

Darius the Great is seated on his throne in his reception chamber while an audience of delegates from provinces around his mighty empire approach him to bring him tribute. This particular dignitary is raising one hand to his mouth as a token of respect and honor and with the other hand he holds his staff of office showing that he was a commander and prime minister of the Medes, as seen by his round cap and uniform. Behind him are two Persian attendants holding a spear and a container of incense. Notice Darius the Great is holding his sceptre of authority in his right hand and a budding flower in his left. Behind Darius is standing the crown-prince Xerxes. This relief of king Darius I Seated is an important discovery in Biblical Archaeology and confirms what the Bible says regarding Darius and the Persian Empire.

"They sent a letter unto him, wherein was written thus; Unto Darius the king, all peace."  Ezra 5:7 

Esther 4:11 "All the king's servants, and the people of the king's provinces, do know, that whosoever, whether man or women, shall come unto the king into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the king shall hold out the golden sceptre, that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the king these thirty days."

Esther 5:2 "And it was so, when the king saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the king held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre."

List of Kings from the Achaemenid Dynasty

Achaemenid Dynasty
Achaemenes 
Teispes 
Cyrus I 
Cambyses I (Kambiz) 

Achaemenid Become an Empire 
Cyrus II the Great, 559BC -530BC 
Kambiz II, 530BC - 522BC 
Smerdis (the Magian), 522BC 
Darius I the Great, 522BC - 486BC 
Xerxes I (Khashyar), 486BC - 465BC 
Artaxerxes I , 465BC - 425BC 
Xerxes II, 425BC - 424BC (45 days) 
Darius II, 423BC - 404BC 
Artaxerxes II, 404BC - 359BC 
Artaxerxes III, 359BC - 339BC 
Arses, 338BC - 336BC 
Darius III, 336BC - 330BC

Note: Esther became queen of Persia around 478 B.C. during the reign of Xerxes I (Ahasuerus).

Material: Dark Gray Limestone Relief
Period: Time of Darius I
Date: 522-486 BC.
Site: Ancient Persepolis. Iran
Reception Chamber of the Treasury of Darius
Height: 8.25 feet

Oriental Institute Excerpt

PERSEPOLIS AND ANCIENT IRAN
The Treasury

Adjacent to the Throne Hall is the Treasury, part of which served as an armory and especially as a royal storehouse of the Achaemenian kings. The tremendous wealth stored here came from the booty of conquered nations and from the annual tribute sent by the peoples of the empire to the king on the occasion of the New Year's feast. Before the Throne Hall was finished, the most spacious room of the Treasury was used as a Court of Reception. Two large stone reliefs were discovered here that attested to its function. These depict Darius I, seated on his throne, being approached by a high dignitary whose hand is raised to his mouth in a gesture of respectful greeting. Behind the king stands Crown Prince Xerxes, followed by court officials.