What is the significance of the ram?
Ibn Ezra: This is Malchus Paras.
What is the significance of the horns?
Rashi: They hint to Malchus Paras and Madai. Ibn Ezra ? they are awesome nations. Malbim ? both were high, for each had its attribute.
Why was one horn higher than the other?
Rashi: Malchus Paras will be greater than Malchus Madai. The latter was only one year ? "bi'Shnas Achas l'Daryavesh ben Achashverosh mi'Zera Madai" (9:1). Seder Olam says, this is the only year of Malchus Madai in Tanach.
Ibn Ezra: Koresh Melech Paras will be greater than Daryavesh ha'Zaken ha'Midi. When Daryavesh died, Bavel returned to Koresh, Daryavesh ruled only one year. Malbim ? after he died, the kingship remained in the hand of Paras.
Why did the higher horn rise later?
Rashi: Malchus Madai will precede Malchus Paras.
Malbim: Koresh was a Gibor and warrior more than Daryavesh.
