Answer :
Final answer:
Darius I was the ruler after Cambyses II who expanded the Persian Empire by adding territories, including an Indian province and Thrace, and reformed the administration with improved infrastructure and governance.
"The correct option is approximately option D"
Explanation:
The ruler who succeeded Cambyses II and expanded the Persian Empire by adding an Indian province and the European province of Thrace was Darius I. Inheriting the vast lands from his ancestors, Darius I organized the Empire into twenty satrapies, led a significant invasion into Central Asia, and his conquests made the Persian Empire the largest one in the world until that time. He introduced major reforms such as improved transportation systems, including the Royal Road, centralized government structures, and efficient communication systems which were crucial for managing such a vast territory.
Darius I was not only known for his military conquests but also for significantly strengthening administration within the empire. His introduction of satraps, standardized weights, measures, coinage, and the development of a new simplified cuneiform alphabet were pivotal to maintaining control and cohesion across various regions.
However, it's important to recognize that the ultimate fall of the Persian Empire came at the hands of Alexander the Great, whose own conquests were influenced by the administrative practices and respect for local cultures developed by Persian rulers like Darius I. Alexander even went to lengths to bury the last Persian emperor with honors, paying tribute to the empire he had conquered.
