Accession of Artaxerxes III
Encyclopedia
Before ascending the throne of Persia Artaxerxes had been a satrap
and commander of his father's army. Darius, Artaxerxes II's eldest son and heir, entered a conspiracy to murder his father, but the plan was leaked to the king. The royal court sentenced Darius to execution and the position of heir to the throne went to Ariaspes, a calm and popular prince. However, the co-conspirators that included Artaxerxes III, the king’s third son and one of the commanders of the royal guard named Tiribazus, convinced Ariaspes of the king’s suspicion about him, which led to his suicide. The old king’s hopes were now directed towards his fourth son, Arsames, who was also was murdered. In 358 BC, Artaxerxes II died at the age of 94, apparemtly because of a broken heart caused by his children's unnatural behaviour, and Artaxerxes III
succeeded him. His first order was the execution of over 80 of his nearest relations to secure his place as emperor.
In 355 BC, Artaxerxes forced Athens
to conclude a peace which required the city to leave Asia Minor
and to acknowledge the independence of its rebellious allies. Artaxerxes raised a campaign against the rebellious Cadusians
, but he managed to appease both of the Cadusian kings. A successful character emerging from this campaign was Darius, who later occupied the throne as Darius III. He then ordered the dismissal of all Greek mercenaries from the satrapal armies of Asia Minor. The order proved effective and many Greek mercenaries were returned to Athens and Sparta
. The order was however ignored by Artabazus of Lydia
, who asked for the help of Athens in a rebellion against the king. Athens sent the assistance to Sardis
. Orontes of Mysia also came to Artabazus and the joined forces managed to defeat the forces sent by Artaxerxes in 354 BC. However, in 353 BC, they were defeated by Artaxerxes’ army and were disbanded. Orontes was pardoned by the king, while Artabazus fled to the safety of court of Philip II of Macedon
.
Satrap
Satrap was the name given to the governors of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as the Sassanid Empire and the Hellenistic empires....
and commander of his father's army. Darius, Artaxerxes II's eldest son and heir, entered a conspiracy to murder his father, but the plan was leaked to the king. The royal court sentenced Darius to execution and the position of heir to the throne went to Ariaspes, a calm and popular prince. However, the co-conspirators that included Artaxerxes III, the king’s third son and one of the commanders of the royal guard named Tiribazus, convinced Ariaspes of the king’s suspicion about him, which led to his suicide. The old king’s hopes were now directed towards his fourth son, Arsames, who was also was murdered. In 358 BC, Artaxerxes II died at the age of 94, apparemtly because of a broken heart caused by his children's unnatural behaviour, and Artaxerxes III
Artaxerxes III of Persia
Artaxerxes III of Persia , was the Great King of Persia and the eleventh Emperor of the Achaemenid Empire, as well as the first Pharaoh of the 31st dynasty of Egypt. He was the son and successor of Artaxerxes II and was succeeded by his son, Arses of Persia...
succeeded him. His first order was the execution of over 80 of his nearest relations to secure his place as emperor.
In 355 BC, Artaxerxes forced Athens
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
to conclude a peace which required the city to leave Asia Minor
Asia Minor
Asia Minor is a geographical location at the westernmost protrusion of Asia, also called Anatolia, and corresponds to the western two thirds of the Asian part of Turkey...
and to acknowledge the independence of its rebellious allies. Artaxerxes raised a campaign against the rebellious Cadusians
Cadusii
The Cadusii were an ancient Iranian people living in north-western Iran.-Geography:The Cadusii lived in a mountainous district of Media Atropatene on the south-west shores of the Caspian Sea, between the parallels of 39° and 37° North latitude, called for its inhabitants Cadusia...
, but he managed to appease both of the Cadusian kings. A successful character emerging from this campaign was Darius, who later occupied the throne as Darius III. He then ordered the dismissal of all Greek mercenaries from the satrapal armies of Asia Minor. The order proved effective and many Greek mercenaries were returned to Athens and Sparta
Sparta
Sparta or Lacedaemon, was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece, situated on the banks of the River Eurotas in Laconia, in south-eastern Peloponnese. It emerged as a political entity around the 10th century BC, when the invading Dorians subjugated the local, non-Dorian population. From c...
. The order was however ignored by Artabazus of Lydia
Lydia
Lydia was an Iron Age kingdom of western Asia Minor located generally east of ancient Ionia in the modern Turkish provinces of Manisa and inland İzmir. Its population spoke an Anatolian language known as Lydian....
, who asked for the help of Athens in a rebellion against the king. Athens sent the assistance to Sardis
Sardis
Sardis or Sardes was an ancient city at the location of modern Sart in Turkey's Manisa Province...
. Orontes of Mysia also came to Artabazus and the joined forces managed to defeat the forces sent by Artaxerxes in 354 BC. However, in 353 BC, they were defeated by Artaxerxes’ army and were disbanded. Orontes was pardoned by the king, while Artabazus fled to the safety of court of Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon "friend" + ἵππος "horse" — transliterated ; 382 – 336 BC), was a king of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III.-Biography:...
.