Was darius and Cyrus the same person?

No, Darius and Cyrus were not the same person; they were two distinct rulers of the ancient Persian Empire. Cyrus the Great founded the empire in the 6th century BCE and is known for his policy of tolerance and respect for the cultures of the lands he conquered. Darius I, also known as Darius the Great, came to power later, around 522 BCE, and is recognized for his administrative reforms and expansion of the empire. Both played significant roles in Persian history, but they ruled in different periods and had different contributions.