(reigned in Egypt 336–332 BC)
King of Persiaand ruler of Egypt. Original name Codomanus. Son of Arsames, an alleged grandson of Darius II, and Sisygambis. He distinguished himself in battle during the reign of Artaxerxes III. He was put on the throne by Bagoasafter the murder of Arses and then executed the ambitious minister. Darius III faced the invasion of Alexander the Great, who defeated his forces at Granicus in 334 BC and Issus in 333 BC, when he was present. He lost Egypt in 332 BC when his satrap, Mazaces, surrendered without a struggle. After a further defeat at Gaugamela in 331 BC, he fled to eastern Iran, where he was murdered in 330 BC by rebellious nobles.
Historical Dictionary Of Ancient Egypt by Morris L. Bierbrier
Ancient Egypt. A Reference Guide. EdwART. 2011.