Arsames of Persia
Encyclopedia
Arsames was the son of Ariaramnes and perhaps briefly the king of Persia
during the Achaemenid dynasty, but gave up the throne and declared loyalty to Cyrus II of Persia
. After this, Arsames most likely retired to his family estate in the Persian heartland of Parsa
, and lived out the rest of his long years there peacefully, though he may nominally have exercised the duties of a "lesser king" under the authority of the "Great King". In an inscription allegedly found in Hamadan
he is called "king of Persia", but some scholars believe it is a fraud, either modern or ancient. Another attestation of his reign is the Behistun Inscription
, where his grandson Darius I
states that eight Achaemenid kings preceded him - and then, he must be counting Arsames as a king.
Arsames was father of Hystaspes
, satrap of Parthia
, and of Pharnaces
. Arsames would live to see his grandson, Darius I, become the Great King
of the Persian Empire, though he would die during his reign. In any case, he must have been one of the longest-surviving royals anywhere in the world at that time, probably living well into his nineties.
Achaemenid Empire
The Achaemenid Empire , sometimes known as First Persian Empire and/or Persian Empire, was founded in the 6th century BCE by Cyrus the Great who overthrew the Median confederation...
during the Achaemenid dynasty, but gave up the throne and declared loyalty to Cyrus II of Persia
Cyrus the Great
Cyrus II of Persia , commonly known as Cyrus the Great, also known as Cyrus the Elder, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Under his rule, the empire embraced all the previous civilized states of the ancient Near East, expanded vastly and eventually conquered most of Southwest Asia and much...
. After this, Arsames most likely retired to his family estate in the Persian heartland of Parsa
Parsa
Parsa may refer to the following places:* Persepolis, a city built by Darius the Great, serving as capital of the Achaemenid Empire.*the Old Persian name for Fars, a province in Iran.*the Parsa District in Nepal.*Parsa, a village in Janakpur Zone, Nepal....
, and lived out the rest of his long years there peacefully, though he may nominally have exercised the duties of a "lesser king" under the authority of the "Great King". In an inscription allegedly found in Hamadan
Hamadan
-Culture:Hamadan is home to many poets and cultural celebrities. The city is also said to be among the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities.Handicrafts: Hamadan has always been well known for handicrafts like leather, ceramic, and beautiful carpets....
he is called "king of Persia", but some scholars believe it is a fraud, either modern or ancient. Another attestation of his reign is the Behistun Inscription
Behistun Inscription
The Behistun Inscription The Behistun Inscription The Behistun Inscription (also Bistun or Bisutun, Modern Persian: بیستون The Behistun Inscription (also Bistun or Bisutun, Modern Persian: بیستون...
, where his grandson Darius I
Darius I of Persia
Darius I , also known as Darius the Great, was the third king of kings of the Achaemenid Empire...
states that eight Achaemenid kings preceded him - and then, he must be counting Arsames as a king.
Arsames was father of Hystaspes
Hystaspes (father of Darius I)
Vishtaspa , known under his Hellenized name Hystaspes , was a Persian satrap of Bactria and Persis, and the father of Darius I of Persia....
, satrap of Parthia
Parthia
Parthia is a region of north-eastern Iran, best known for having been the political and cultural base of the Arsacid dynasty, rulers of the Parthian Empire....
, and of Pharnaces
Pharnaces
Pharnaces may refer to:* Pharnaces , founder of the Pharnacid Dynasty of satraps of Phrygia on the Hellespont...
. Arsames would live to see his grandson, Darius I, become the Great King
Great King
Great King and the equivalent in many languages is a semantic title for historical titles of Monarchs, suggesting an elevated status among the host of Kings and Princes...
of the Persian Empire, though he would die during his reign. In any case, he must have been one of the longest-surviving royals anywhere in the world at that time, probably living well into his nineties.