# General Information

In this chapter, Darius is called the king of Assyria. In reality, Darius was also king of Persia. Persia had conquered Babylon, which had previously conquered Assyria. It was unusual to refer to Darius as the king of Assyria. Ezra may have referred to him in this way to contrast Darius' actions with those of the former rulers of Assyria, who had treated the Jews very cruelly.

# house of archives

This is a building where the king's officials kept the important government records.