Artaxerxes III: Difference between revisions
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It is commonly believed that In [[338 BC]] Artaxerxes was killed by [[Bagoas]],his confidential minister. This is contradicted by [[cuneiform]] texts which say that Artaxerxes died of natural causes. |
It is commonly believed that In [[338 BC]] Artaxerxes was killed by [[Bagoas]],his confidential minister. This is contradicted by [[cuneiform]] texts which say that Artaxerxes died of natural causes. |
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==Culture== |
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{{seealso|Zoroastrianism|Mithra|Anahita}} |
{{seealso|Zoroastrianism|Mithra|Anahita}} |
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Historically, kings of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] were followers of [[Zoroaster]] or heavily influenced by [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] ideology. The reign of [[Artaxerxes II]] saw a revival of the cult of [[Anahita]] and [[Mithra]], when in his building inscriptions he invoked [[Ahuramazda]], [[Anahita]] and [[Mithra]] and even set up statues of his gods.<ref>http://www.vohuman.org/Article/The%20Achaemenians,%20Zoroastrians%20in%20Transition.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref> [[Mithra]] and [[Anahita]] had until then been neglected by most Zoroastrians; because they defied [[Zoroaster]]’s command that God was to be represented only by the flames of a sacred fire.<ref>http://www.livius.org/ag-ai/ahuramazda/ahuramazda.html retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref><ref>http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Artaxerxes retrieved 4 Mar 2008</ref> Artaxerxes III is thought to have rejected [[Anahita]] and worshipped only [[Ahuramazda]] and [[Mithra]].<ref>http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/ot_grp10/ot_mithra_i_20060114.html retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref> An ambiguity in the cuneiform script of an inscription of Artaxerxes III at [[Persepolis]] suggests that he regarded father and son as one person, suggesting that the attributes of [[Ahuramazda]] were being transferred to [[Mithra]]. Strangely, Artaxerxes had caused statues of the goddess Anâhita to be erected at Babylon, Damascus, and Sardis, as well as at Susa, Ecbatana, and Persepolis.<ref>http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/mom/mom04.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref> |
Historically, kings of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] were followers of [[Zoroaster]] or heavily influenced by [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] ideology. The reign of [[Artaxerxes II]] saw a revival of the cult of [[Anahita]] and [[Mithra]], when in his building inscriptions he invoked [[Ahuramazda]], [[Anahita]] and [[Mithra]] and even set up statues of his gods.<ref>http://www.vohuman.org/Article/The%20Achaemenians,%20Zoroastrians%20in%20Transition.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref> [[Mithra]] and [[Anahita]] had until then been neglected by most Zoroastrians; because they defied [[Zoroaster]]’s command that God was to be represented only by the flames of a sacred fire.<ref>http://www.livius.org/ag-ai/ahuramazda/ahuramazda.html retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref><ref>http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Artaxerxes retrieved 4 Mar 2008</ref> Artaxerxes III is thought to have rejected [[Anahita]] and worshipped only [[Ahuramazda]] and [[Mithra]].<ref>http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/ot_grp10/ot_mithra_i_20060114.html retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref> An ambiguity in the cuneiform script of an inscription of Artaxerxes III at [[Persepolis]] suggests that he regarded father and son as one person, suggesting that the attributes of [[Ahuramazda]] were being transferred to [[Mithra]]. Strangely, Artaxerxes had caused statues of the goddess Anâhita to be erected at Babylon, Damascus, and Sardis, as well as at Susa, Ecbatana, and Persepolis.<ref>http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/mom/mom04.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008</ref> |
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While Artaxerxes was in [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]], he issued a large series of silver imitations of Athenian coinage. The issues of Artaxerxes are recognisable as such because his name appears on the reverse in a local Egyptian script. The inscription reads 'Artaxerxes Pharaoh. Life, Prosperity, Wealth'.<ref>http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/s/silver_tetradrachm_of_artaxerx.aspx retrieved 6 Mar 2008</ref> |
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==Constructions== |
==Constructions== |
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Revision as of 17:28, 6 March 2008
| Artaxerxes III (Artaxšaçrā) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great King (Shah) of Persia | |||||
| Reign | 358 BC — 338 BC | ||||
| Coronation | Pasargadae[1][2], February or March 358 BC[3] | ||||
| Predecessor | Artaxerxes II ,Nectanebo II | ||||
| Heir Apparent | Artaxerxes IV | ||||
| Burial | |||||
| Consort | Atossa[4] | ||||
| Issue | Artaxerxes IV of Persia | ||||
| |||||
| Dynasty | Achaemenid | ||||
| Father | Artaxerxes II of Persia | ||||
| Mother | Statira | ||||
Artaxerxes III Ochus (Ca. 425 BC–338 BC)(Old Persian: 𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎠[5], transliterated as Artaxšaçrā), also known as Vahuka, was the Great King (Shah) of Persia and the eleventh Emperor of the Achaemenid Empire from 358 BC and the first Pharaoh of the 31st dynasty of Egypt from 343 BC until his death in 338 BC. He was the son and successor of Artaxerxes II and was succeeded by his son, Arses of Persia (also known as Artaxerxes IV). His reign coincided with the reign of Philip II in Macedon and Nectanebo II in Egypt.
Soon after becoming king, Artaxerxes murdered all of the royal family to secure his place as emperor. In 343 BC Artaxerxes defeated Nectanebo II, driving him from Egypt, destroying Sidon on the way. According to the Greek historian Diodorus, Artaxerxes was murdered by his minister, Bagoas, but this is contradicted by cuneiform texts.[6]
There is evidence for a renewed building policy at Persepolis, where Artaxerxes erected a new palace.
Accession and early rule
Darius, Artaxerxes II's eldest son, entered a conspiracy to murder his father, but the plan that was leaked 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.[7] 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.[7] The old king’s hopes were now directed towards his fourth son, Arsames. Arsames too was murdered. In 358 BC Artaxerxes II died and Artaxerxes III succeeded him. His first order was the execution of his brothers to secure his place as emperor.[7] Throughout his reign he continued a policy of terror.
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.[8] Artaxerxes raised a campaign against the rebellious Cadusians. Artaxerxes appeased 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 of Macedon.
First Egyptian Campaign
In around 351 BC, Artaxerxes embarked on a campaign to recover Egypt, which had revolted under his father, Artaxerxes II's rule. At the same time a rebellion had broken out in Asia Minor, which, being supported by Thebes, threatened to become serious.[3] Levying a vast army, Artaxerxes marched into Egypt, and engaged Nectanebo II. The Egyptian pharaoh, with the services of the Greek generals Diophantus and Lamius inflicted a crushing defeat on the Persians. Artaxerxes was compelled to retreat and postpone his Egyptian enterprise.
War against Sidon
Soon after this defeat, leaders of Phoenicia, Asia Minor and Cyprus declared their independence. In 343 BC, Artaxerxes committed the suppression of the Cyprian rebels to Idrieus prince of Caria, who employed on the service of 8000 Greek mercenaries, commanded by Phocion the Athenian, and Evagoras, son of the former Evagoras, the Cyprian monarch.[9] Idrieus succeeded in reducing Cyprus. Artaxerxes initiated a counter-offensive against Sidon by deputing Belesys, satrap of Syria and Mezseus, satrap of Cilicia to invade the city and to keep the Phoenicians in check. Both suffered crushing defeats at the hands of the Sidonese king, who was aided by 40,000 Greek mercenaries sent him by Nectanebo II and commanded by Mentor the Rhodian, and the Persian forces were driven out of Phoenicia.[9] So Artaxerxes proceeded against Sidon in person at the head of 330,000 men. The approach of Artaxerxes shook the resolution of the Phoenician monarch, who endeavoured to purchase his own pardon by delivering up a hundred of the principal citizens of Sidon into the hands of the Persian king, and then admitting him within the defences of the town.[9] Artaxerxes caused the hundred citizens to be transfixed with javelins, and when 500 more came out as suppliants to entreat his mercy, relentlessly consigned them to the same fate.[9] Sidon was then burnt to the ground, either by Artaxerxes or by the Sidonian citizens.[10][9] Forty thousand people died in the conflagration.[10][9] After his defeat in Egypt, Artaxerxes started to build a larger army at Babylon, and a navy was gathered at Sidon.[11]
Second Egyptian Campaign
The reduction of Sidon was followed closely by the invasion of Egypt. In 343 BC, Artaxerxes, besides his 330,000 Asiatics, had now a force of 14,000 Greeks furnished by the Greek cities of Asia Minor; 4000 under Mentor, consisting of the troops which he had brought to the aid of Tennes from Egypt; 3000 sent by Argos; and 1000 from Thebes.[9] He divided his numerous armament into three bodies, and placed at the head of each a Persian and a Greek. The Greek commanders were Lacrates of Thebes, Mentor of Rhodes, and Nicostratus of Argos and The Persians were Rhossaces, Aristazanes, and Bagoas, the chief of the eunuchs.[9] Nectanebo II resisted with an army of 100,000 of whom 20,000 were Greek mercenaries. Nectanebo II occupied the Nile and its various branches with a numerous navy. The character of the country, intersected by numerous canals, and full of strongly fortified towns, was in his favour; and he might have been expected to make a prolonged, if not even a successful, resistance.[9] But Nectanebo II was deficient in generals, and over-confident in his own powers of command. The Greek generals on the Persian side out-manoeuvred outflanked the Egyptian army.[11] After his defeat Nectanebo hastily fled to Memphis, leaving the fortified towns to the defence of their garrisons. These consisted of mixed troops, partly Greek and partly Egyptian; between whom jealousies and suspicions were easily sown by the Persian leaders, who by these means rapidly reduced the secondary cities of Lower Egypt, and were advancing upon Memphis, when Nectanebo in despair quitted the country and fled southwards to Ethiopia.[9][12] The Persian army completely routed the Egyptians and occupied the Lower Delta of the Nile. After Nectanebo fled to Ethiopia all of Egypt submitted to Artaxerxes.
After this victory, Artaxerxes had the city walls destroyed, started a reign of terror, and set about looting all the temples. Persia gained a significant amount of wealth from this looting.[13] Aside from the immediate looting, Artaxerxes raised high taxes, and attempted to weaken Egypt enough that it could never revolt against Persia.[13] For the 10 years that Persia controlled Egypt, religion was persecuted and sacred books were stolen.[13] Before he returned to Persia he appointed Pherendares as satrap of Egypt. With the loot Artaxerxes amply rewarded his mercenaries and then returned to his capital with the glory of having successfully carried through the invasion of Egypt.
Later years
After his success in Egypt Artaxerxes returned to Persia and spent the next few years effectively quelling insurrections in various parts of the Empire so that a few years from the conquest of Egypt the Persian Empire was firmly entrenched in the grasp of the emperor. Egypt remained a part of the Persian Empire until Alexander the Great's conquest of Egypt.
Artaxerxes' victory in Egypt not only redeemed his former failure, but elevated himself in the opinions of men to the same level as Cyrus the Great, Cambyses II, and Darius the Great. After the conquest of Egypt there were no more revolts or rebellions against Artaxerxes.[9] Mentor and Bagoas, the two generals who had most distinguished themselves in the Egyptian campaign, were advanced to posts of the highest importance. Mentor, who was governor of the entire Asiatic sea-board, exerted himself successfully to reduce to subjection the many chiefs who during the recent troubles had assumed an independent authority, and in the course of a few years brought the whole coast into complete submission and dependence.[9] Bagoas was brought back to the capital with Artaxerxes, became the main figure in internal administration, and maintained tranquillity throughout the rest of the Empire.[9] The last six years of the reign of Artaxerxes the Persian Empire was governed by a vigorous and successful government.[9]
Artaxerxes’ success in Egypt brought a new sense of revival to the empire. Neighbouring countries again realised the power and influence of the Persian Empire. Persian forces in Ionia and Lycia regained their control of the Aegean and the Mediterranean Sea and took over much of Athen’s former island empire. Isocrates of Athens started his speeches calling for a ‘crusade against the barbarians’ but there was not enough strength left in any of the Greek city-states to answer his call. In 341 BC Artaxerxes returned to Babylon, where he apparently proceeded to build a great Apadana whose description is present in the works of Diodorius. The Persian Empire was once again occupying its old borders and proving its ability to rule over a very large territory.
Although there weren't any rebellions in the Persian Empire itself, the growing power and territory of Philip II of Macedon in Macedon (against which Demosthenes was in vain warning the Athenians) attracted the consideration of Artaxerxes; and he ordered that Persian influence was to be used to check and depress the rising kingdom. In 340 BC a force was consequently despatched to assist the Thracian prince, Cersobleptes, to maintain his independence; and such effectual aid was given to the city of Perinthus that the numerous and well-appointed army with which Philip had commenced its siege was completely baffled and compelled to give up the attempt.[9]
It is commonly believed that In 338 BC Artaxerxes was killed by Bagoas,his confidential minister. This is contradicted by cuneiform texts which say that Artaxerxes died of natural causes.
Culture
Historically, kings of the Achaemenid Empire were followers of Zoroaster or heavily influenced by Zoroastrian ideology. The reign of Artaxerxes II saw a revival of the cult of Anahita and Mithra, when in his building inscriptions he invoked Ahuramazda, Anahita and Mithra and even set up statues of his gods.[14] Mithra and Anahita had until then been neglected by most Zoroastrians; because they defied Zoroaster’s command that God was to be represented only by the flames of a sacred fire.[15][16] Artaxerxes III is thought to have rejected Anahita and worshipped only Ahuramazda and Mithra.[17] An ambiguity in the cuneiform script of an inscription of Artaxerxes III at Persepolis suggests that he regarded father and son as one person, suggesting that the attributes of Ahuramazda were being transferred to Mithra. Strangely, Artaxerxes had caused statues of the goddess Anâhita to be erected at Babylon, Damascus, and Sardis, as well as at Susa, Ecbatana, and Persepolis.[18]
While Artaxerxes was in Egypt, he issued a large series of silver imitations of Athenian coinage. The issues of Artaxerxes are recognisable as such because his name appears on the reverse in a local Egyptian script. The inscription reads 'Artaxerxes Pharaoh. Life, Prosperity, Wealth'.[19]
Constructions
There is evidence for a renewed building policy at Persepolis, but some of his constructions weren't finished due to his early death. Two of his constructions at Persepolis were the Hall of Thirty-Two Columns, which it's purpose is unknown, and the palace of Artaxerxes III. The unfinished Army Road and Unfinished Gate, which connected the Gate of All Nations and the One-hundred Column Hall, gave archaeologists an insight into the construction of Persepolis.[3] The staircase and carved figures decorating the left wing of the Tachara Palace was also added to the main palace during the reign of Artaxerxes.[20] His tomb was cut into the mountain behind the Persepolis platform, next to his father's tomb.
Family
Artaxerxes III was the son of Artaxerxes II and Statira. Artaxerxes II had more than 115 sons by many wives, but some of Ochus' noticeable siblings were Rodogune, Apama, Sisygambis, Ocha Prince of Persia, Darius and Ariaspes, most of which were murdered soon after his ascension.[21][7] His children were Arses, the future king of Persia, and Parysatis.
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The Achaemenid Empire was the first Persian empire, founded in 550 BC by Cyrus the Great, part of the Achaemenid dynasty.
Family tree
| Achaemenes King of Persia[*] 705–675 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teispes King of Persia 675–640 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cyrus I King of Persia 640–600 | Ariaramnes Prince[*] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cambyses I King of Persia 600–559 | Arukku | Arsames Prince[*] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Cyrus II the Great King of Persia 559–530/28 | Hystaspes Prince[*] | Pharnaces I satrap of Phrygia Pharnacid dynasty | Megabates military leader | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artystone Princess | Smerdis (Bardiya) | Cambyses II King of Persia 530–522 | Atossa Princess | Darius I the Great King of Persia 522–486 | Artaphernes I general satrap of Lydia | Artabanus counselor | Megabazus general | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parmys | (by daughter of Gobryas) Ariabignes admiral | (by Atossa) Masistes satrap of Bactria | (by Atossa) Xerxes I the Great King of Persia 485–465 | (by Atossa) Achaemenes satrap of Egypt | (by Artystone) Artazostre married Mardonius | (by Parmys) Ariomardus | Artaphernes II general satrap of Lydia | Artyphius commander | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artaynte | Artaxerxes I King of Persia 465–424 | Darius crown prince | Hystaspes satrap of Bactria | Arsames (I) satrap of Egypt | Amytis married Megabyzus | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Xerxes II King of Persia 424 | Sogdianus King of Persia 424–423 | Darius II Ochus King of Persia 423–404 | Arsites satrap of Phrygia | Parysatis (I) Princess | Bagapaios Prince | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artaxerxes II Arses King of Persia 404–358 | Amestris Princess | Cyrus the Younger Prince | Ostanes Prince | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artaxerxes III Ochus King of Persia 358–338 | Ariaspes prince | Rodrogune married Orontes I satrap of Sophene & Metiene | Apama married Pharnabazus II satrap of Phrygia | Sisygambis Princess | Arsames (II) Prince | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Darius III Artashata King of Persia 336–330 | Oxathres Prince | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Artaxerxes IV Arses King of Persia 338–336 | Parysatis (II) Princess | Alexander III the Great King of Macedon and Persia 329–323 | Stateira II Princess | Drypetis married Hephestion general | Amastrine married Craterus general; Dionysius tyrant of Heraclea; Lysimachus king of Thrace | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
See also
Notes
References
- "Family Tree of Darius the Great". Encyclopædia Iranica. Archived from the original (JPG) on 2010-12-08. Retrieved 2011-03-28.
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See Also
- List of kings of Persia
- Achaemenid Empire
- Persian Empire
- History of Achaemenid Egypt
- List of Pharaohs
Notes
References
- ^ http://www.parspage.com/history/cities.htm retrieved 4 Mar 2008
- ^ Boardman, J. (1923). The Cambridge Ancient History. Cambridge: Cambridge University
Press. pp. p. 80. ISBN 0521228042.
{{cite book}}:|pages=has extra text (help); line feed character in|publisher=at position 21 (help) - ^ a b c d http://www.livius.org/arl-arz/artaxerxes/artaxerxes_iii_ochus.html retrieved 1 Mar 2008 Cite error: The named reference "Ochus" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
- ^ a b http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=lmgold&id=I1309 retrieved 3 Mar 2008
- ^ Ghias Abadi, R. M. (2004). Achaemenid Inscriptions (کتیبههای هخامنشی) (in Persian) (2nd edition ed.). Tehran: Shiraz Navid Publications. pp. page 144. ISBN 964-358-015-6.
{{cite book}}:|edition=has extra text (help);|pages=has extra text (help) - ^ Chr. Walker, "Achaemenid Chronology and the Babylonian Sources," in: John Curtis (ed.), Mesopotamia and Iran in the Persian Period: Conquest and Imperialism, 539-331 BC (London 1997), page 22. ISBN 0714111422
- ^ a b c d http://www.iranologie.com/history/Achaemenid/chapter%20V.html retrieved 1 Mar 2008
- ^ http://lexicorient.com/e.o/artaxerxes3.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o http://persianempire.info/ArtaxerxesIII.htm retrieved 2 Mar 2008
- ^ a b http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Iranian_History/Contents/The_Era_of_the_Three_Dariuses retrieved 2 Mar 2008
- ^ a b http://touregypt.net/featurestories/nectanebo2.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008
- ^ http://phoenicia.org/history.html retrieved 2 Mar 2008
- ^ a b c http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/egypt/history/periods/persianii.html retrieved 6 Mar 2008
- ^ http://www.vohuman.org/Article/The%20Achaemenians,%20Zoroastrians%20in%20Transition.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008
- ^ http://www.livius.org/ag-ai/ahuramazda/ahuramazda.html retrieved 5 Mar 2008
- ^ http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Artaxerxes retrieved 4 Mar 2008
- ^ http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/ot_grp10/ot_mithra_i_20060114.html retrieved 5 Mar 2008
- ^ http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/mom/mom04.htm retrieved 5 Mar 2008
- ^ http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/s/silver_tetradrachm_of_artaxerx.aspx retrieved 6 Mar 2008
- ^ http://dooroodiran.blogspot.com/2004/06/monuments-of-dariush.html retrieved 1 Mar 2008
- ^ http://www.american-pictures.com/genealogy/persons/per00528.htm retrieved 2 Mar 2008
External links
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