Artaxerxes II: The Genesis of the End for the Achaemenid Empire
BioGraphics - True Biographies & History's Most Fascinating PeopleSummary
The Achaemenid Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great in 550 BC, reached its zenith under rulers like Darius and Xerxes. However, after the assassination of Xerxes in 465 BC, the empire began to decline. Artaxerxes II, who ascended the throne in 404 BC, attempted to restore the empire's former glory but ultimately faced significant challenges, including a rebellion from his brother Cyrus, who sought the throne for himself.
Cyrus, backed by Greek mercenaries, launched an attack against Artaxerxes in 401 BC, leading to the Battle of Cunaxa. Despite initial successes, Cyrus's obsession with defeating his brother led to his downfall when he was killed in combat. Following Cyrus's death, the Greek mercenaries found themselves stranded in hostile territory, leading to further conflict and instability for the Achaemenid Empire.
Artaxerxes managed to quell the immediate threats, including a subsequent rebellion from several satraps and conflicts with the Spartans. However, his reign was marked by a series of challenges, including the loss of Egypt and internal strife among his successors. Ultimately, Artaxerxes II's efforts to reclaim the empire's former power were undermined by the growing disunity within both the Persian and Greek realms, signaling a decline in the Achaemenid Empire's influence.
Show Notes
Artaxerxes II: The Beginning of the End for the Achaemenid Empire
27 Sep 2024
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Further Reading: Plutarch - Life of Artaxerxes
Xenophon - Anabasis
Ctesias - Persica
A. T. Olmstead - History of the Persian Empire
J. M. Cook - The Persian Empire
https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/artaxerxes-ii-achaemenid-king
https://www.worldhistory.org/Artaxerxes_II/
https://www.livius.org/articles/person/artaxerxes-ii-mnemon/
https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Plutarch/Lives/Artaxerxes*.html#2
https://www.livius.org/articles/person/artaxerxes-ii-mnemon/
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