Darius the Great’s inscription provides insight into the perceived value and status of the kings of the Achaemenid Empire. Darius begins by praising Ahura Mazda, citing him as ‘the greatest of the gods’. Immediately after doing so, he draws a link between himself and Ahura Mazda- ‘who created king Darius and gave him his kingdom. By the favour of Ahura Mazda, Darius is king’. Darius uses third person, a common practice among ancient rulers of his time; it emphasised his status and superiority and allowed him to project himself as a mighty individual, distinct from ordinary people. As he portrays himself as one directly blessed by the gods, his use of third person further stresses upon his divine origins and helps to add a sense of gravity to