Artaxerxes III of Persia 304041 224184017 2008-07-07T18:29:56Z VolkovBot 3035831 robot Adding: [[ja:アルタクセルクセス3世]] {{Infobox Monarch | name =Artaxerxes III<br>''(Artaxšaçrā)'' | title =[[List of kings of Persia|Great King (Shah) of Persia]] | image = | caption = | reign =358–338 BC | coronation =[[Pasargadae]], February or March 358 BC<ref name="Ochus">{{cite web |url=http://www.livius.org/arl-arz/artaxerxes/artaxerxes_iii_ochus.html |title=Artaxerxes III Ochus |accessmonthday=March 1 |accessyear=2008 |last=Lendering |first=Jona |authorlink=Jona Lendering |work=Livius.Org }}</ref> | othertitles =[[List of kings of Persia|Great King (Shah) of Persia]], [[Pharaoh|Pharaoh of Egypt]], [[Shah#Shahanshah|Shahanshah]], [[King of Kings]], king of countries, king of this earth<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livius.org/a/iran/persepolis/darius/palace2.html#A3pa |title= Livius Picture Archive: texts XPc and A3Pa |accessmonthday=March 8 |accessyear=2008 |author= |last=Lendering |first=Jona |authorlink=Jona Lendering |work=Livius.Org |quote=king of kings, the king of countries, the king of this earth }}</ref> | full name =Artaxerxes III Ochus | predecessor =[[Artaxerxes II]] '''(Persia)'''<br>[[Nectanebo II]] '''(Egypt)''' | suc-type =[[Heir apparent|Heir Apparent]] | heir =[[Arses of Persia|Artaxerxes IV]] | successor =[[Arses of Persia|Artaxerxes IV]] | queen = | consort = | spouse 1 = | spouse 2 = | spouse 3 = | spouse 4 = | spouse 5 = | spouse 6 = | issue =[[Arses of Persia|Artaxerxes IV of Persia]] | royal house = | dynasty =[[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]] | royal anthem = | father =[[Artaxerxes II of Persia]] | mother =Statira | date of birth = | place of birth = | date of death =26 August/25 September 338 BC<ref name="Ochus"/>(aged ''Ca.'' 87) | place of death = | date of burial = | place of burial =[[Persepolis]] |}} '''Artaxerxes III of Persia''' (''Ca.'' 425 BC &ndash; 338 BC) ([[Old Persian language|Old Persian]]: 𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎠,<ref>{{cite book|last=Ghias Abadi|first=R. M.|title=Achaemenid Inscriptions (کتیبه‌های هخامنشی)&lrm;|edition=2nd edition|publisher=Shiraz Navid Publications|year=2004|location=Tehran|isbn=964-358-015-6|pages=page 144|language=Persian}}</ref> transliterated as ''Artaxšaçrā''), was the [[List of kings of Persia|Great King (Shah) of Persia]] and the eleventh [[Emperor]] of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] from 358&nbsp;BC and the first [[Pharaoh]] of the [[History of Achaemenid Egypt#The second Egyptian satrapy|31st dynasty]] of [[Egypt]] from 343&nbsp;BC until his death in 338&nbsp;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 of Macedon|Philip II]] in [[Macedon]] and [[Nectanebo II]] in Egypt. Before ascending the throne Artaxerxes was a [[satrap]] and commander of his father's army. Artaxerxes came to power after one of his brothers was executed, another committed suicide, the last brother was murdered and his father, [[Artaxerxes II]] died at the age of 90. Soon after becoming king, Artaxerxes murdered all of the royal family to secure his place as emperor. He started two major campaigns against Egypt. The first campaign failed, and was followed up by rebellions throughout the western empire. In 343&nbsp;BC, Artaxerxes defeated [[Nectanebo II]], the [[Pharaoh]] of Egypt, driving him from [[History of ancient Egypt|Egypt]], stopping a revolt in Phoenicia on the way. In Artaxerxes' later years, [[Philip II of Macedon]]'s power was increasing in Greece, where he tried to convince the Greeks to revolt against [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid Persia]]. His activities were opposed by Artaxerxes, and with his support, the city of [[Perinthus]] resisted a Macedonian siege. There is evidence for a renewed building policy at [[Persepolis]] in his later life, where Artaxerxes erected a new palace and built his own tomb but projects like the Unfinished Gate. According to a Greek source, [[Diodorus of Sicily]], Bagoas poisoned Artaxerxes, but a cuneiform tablet (now in the [[British Museum]]) suggests that the king died from natural causes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livius.org/arl-arz/artaxerxes/artaxerxes_iv.html |title=Artaxerxes IV Arses |accessdate= |accessmonthday=June 8 |accessyear=2008 |last=Lendering |first=Jona |authorlink=Jona Lendering}}</ref> ==Name== Ochus was the name of Artaxerxes before ascending the throne; and Artaxerxees III ([[Old Persian]]:𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎠, Artaxšaçrā, ''"he whose empire is well-fitted"'' or ''"perfected", or Arta:"honoured"+Xerxes:"a king" ("the honoured king"), according to [[Herodotus]] "the great warrior"''<ref name="Name">{{cite web |url= http://encyclopedia.jrank.org/ARN_AUD/ARTAXERXES.html |title=Artaxerxes |accessmonthday=March 11 |accessyear=2008}}</ref><ref name="name2">{{cite book |last=Smith |first=William |authorlink=William Smith (lexicographer) |editor=William Smith |title=[[Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology]] |origyear=1842 |accessdate=2008-03-25 |volume=1 |year=1867 |publisher=Boston:Little, Brown, and Company |pages=371 |chapter=Artaxerxes |quote=Arta:"honoured"+Xerxes:"a king" ("the honoured king"), according to [[Herodotus]] "the great warrior"''}}</ref>) was the title adopted by Ochus when he succeeded [[Artaxerxes II|his father]] in 358&nbsp;BC. He is generally referred to as Ochus, but in [[Iran]] he is known as Ardeshir III (اردشیر سوم [[Persian language|Modern Persian]] form of Artaxerxes). In [[Babylon]]ian inscriptions he is called ''"Umasu, who is called Artakshatsu"''. The same form of the name (probably pronounced Uvasu) occurs in the Syrian version of the [[Canon of Kings]] by Elias of Nisibis.<ref name="Name"/> As Artaxerxes was very much a Babylonian, he called himself nebuchadrezzar. This explains the recalling of a conquest of Egypt, the destruction of Juadah, and the enslavement of the last Twelve Tribes of Israel by someone of the same name.<ref>{{cite book |title=The Ramessides, Medes, and Persians |last=Sweeney |first=Emmet John |year=2007 |publisher=Algora Publishing |isbn=0875865445 |pages=145}}</ref> ==Early life and accession== {{main|accession of Artaxerxes III}} Before ascending the throne Artaxerxes had been a [[satrap]] and commander of his father's army.<ref name="pop">{{cite book |title=A History of the Jews and Judaism in the Second Temple Period |last=Grabbe |first=Lester L. |year=2004 |publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group |isbn=ISBN 0567089983 |pages=323 }}</ref> In 358&nbsp;BC his father, [[Artaxerxes II]], died at the age of 94, apparemtly because of a broken heart caused by his children's unnatural behaviour, and, since his other sons, Darius, Ariaspesand Tiribazus had already been eliminated by plots, Artaxerxes III succeeded him as Emperor.<ref>{{cite book |last=Rhodes |first=Peter J. |title=A History of the Classical Greek World: 478-323 BC |origyear= 2006|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=dKhOwYzZTxsC |accessyear=2008 |accessmonth=June |publisher=Blackwell Publishing |isbn=0631225641 |pages=224}}</ref> His first order was the execution of over 80 of his nearest relations to secure his place as emperor.<ref name=Lemprière>{{cite book |last=Lemprière |first=John |authorlink=John Lemprière |coauthors=R. Willets |title=[[Lemprière's Bibliotheca Classica|Classical Dictionary containing a full Account of all the Proper Names mentioned in Ancient Authors]] |origyear=1788 |accessyear=2008 |accessmonth=June |year=1984 |publisher=Routledge |isbn=0710200684 |pages=82}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://lexicorient.com/e.o/artaxerxes3.htm |title=Artaxerxes 3 |accessdaymonth=5 March |accessyear=2008 |last=Kjeilen |first=Tore}}</ref> Artaxerxes raised a campaign against the rebellious [[Cadusii|Cadusians]], but he managed to appease both of the Cadusian kings. A successful character emerging from this campaign was Darius Codomannus, 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]]. [[Orontid dynasty#Orontids_Kings_and_satraps_of_Armenia|Orontes of Mysia]] also came to Artabazus and the joined forces managed to defeat the forces sent by Artaxerxes in 354&nbsp;BC. However, in 353&nbsp;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]]. ==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, Greece|Thebes]], threatened to become serious.<ref name="Ochus">[http://persianempire.info/ArtaxerxesIII.htm Artaxerxes III PersianEmpire.info History of the Persian Empire<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Levying a vast army, Artaxerxes marched into Egypt, and engaged [[Nectanebo II]]. After a year of fighting the Egyptian [[Pharaoh]], with the services of the Greek generals Diophantus and Lamius inflicted a crushing defeat on the Persians.<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of Ancient Israel and Judah |last=Miller |first=James M. |coauthors=John Haralson Hayes(photographer) |year=1986 |publisher=Westminster John Knox Press |isbn=ISBN 066421262X |pages=465}}</ref> Artaxerxes was compelled to retreat and postpone his Egyptian enterprise. ==Rebellion of Cyprus and Sidon== Soon after this defeat, leaders of [[Phoenicia]], [[Asia Minor]] and [[Cyprus]] declared their independence. In 343&nbsp;BC, Artaxerxes committed the suppression of the Cyprian rebels to [[Idrieus]] prince of [[Caria]], who employed on the service of 8,000 Greek mercenaries and forty [[trireme]]s, commanded by [[Phocion]] the Athenian, and Evagoras, son of the elder [[Evagoras]], the Cypriot monarch.<ref>{{cite book |title=A History of Discoveries at Halicarnassus, Cnidus & Branchidæ |last=Newton |first=Sir Charles Thomas |coauthors=R.P. Pullan |year=1862 |publisher=Day & son |pages=57 }}</ref><ref name="Persianempire">{{cite web |url=http://persianempire.info/ArtaxerxesIII.htm |title=Artaxerxes III Ochus ( 358 BC to 338 BC )|accessdaymonth=2 March |accessyear=2008}}</ref> Idrieus succeeded in reducing Cyprus. Artaxerxes initiated a counter-offensive against [[Sidon]] by deputing Belesys, satrap of Syria and Mezseus, [[Cilicia (satrapy)|satrap of Cilicia]] to invade the city and to keep the [[Phoenicia]]ns in check. Both suffered crushing defeats at the hands of Tennes, the Sidonese king, who was aided by 40,000 Greek mercenaries sent him by [[Nectanebo II]] and commanded by [[Mentor of Rhodes]], and the Persian forces were driven out of [[Phoenicia]].<ref name="Persianempire"/> After this, Artaxerxes proceeded against [[Sidon]] in person at the head of 330,000 men, comprising 300,000 foot soldiers, 30,000 [[cavalry]], 300 triremes, and 500 transports or provision ships. After gathering this army, he directed his efforts towards obtaining efficient assistance from the Greeks. Though refused aid by [[Athens]] and [[Sparta]], he succeeded in obtaining a thousand Theban heavy-armed hoplites under Lacrates, three thousand Argives under Nicostratus, and six thousand Æolians, [[Ionians]], and Dorians from the Greek cities of Asia Minor. The assistance thus secured was numerically small, amounting to no more than ten thousand men, not a thirtieth part of his native force; but it formed, together with the Greek mercenaries from Egypt who went over to him afterwards, the force on which he placed his chief reliance, and to which the ultimate success of his expedition was mainly due. The approach of Artaxerxes shook the resolution of Tennes, 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. Artaxerxes caused the hundred citizens to be transfixed with javelins, and when 500 more came out as supplicants to entreat his mercy, relentlessly consigned them to the same fate. Sidon was then burnt to the ground, either by Artaxerxes or by the Sidonian citizens. Forty thousand people died in the conflagration.<ref name=Persianempire/> Artaxerxes sold the ruins at a high price to speculators, who calculated on reimbursing themselves by the treasures which they might dig out from among the ashes.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tomrawlinson.com/Personal/Links/RawlinsonGeorge.htm |title=Phœnicia under the Persians |accessdaymonth= 10 March|accessyear=2008 |last=Rawlinson |first=George |authorlink=George Rawlinson |year=1889 |work=History of Phoenicia |publisher=Longmans, Green}}</ref> Tennes was later put to death by Artaxerxes.<ref name=Lovetoknow>{{cite web |url=http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Artaxerxes |title=Artaxerxes |accessdaymonth=4 March |accessyear=2008}}</ref> He later sent [[Jews]] who supported the revolt to the south coast of the [[Caspian Sea]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iras.ucalgary.ca/~volk/sylvia/GogAndMagog.htm |title=The Legend Of Gog And Magog |accessdaymonth=10 March |accessyear=2008}}</ref> ==Second Egyptian Campaign== {{main|Second Persian conquest of Egypt}} {{seealso|History of Achaemenid Egypt#The second Egyptian satrapy}} [[Image:NectaneboII-StatueHead MuseumOfFineArtsBoston.png|thumb|Head of [[Nectanebo II]]]] The reduction of Sidon was followed closely by the invasion of Egypt. In 343&nbsp;BC, Artaxerxes, besides his 330,000 Asiatics, had now a force of 14,000 Greeks furnished by the Greek cities of Asia Minor; 4,000 under [[Mentor of Rhodes|Mentor]], consisting of the troops which he had brought to the aid of Tennes from Egypt; 3,000 sent by Argos; and 1000 from Thebes. 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. [[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.<ref name="Persianempire"/> After his defeat, Nectanebo hastily fled to [[Memphis]], leaving the fortified towns to the defence of their garrisons. These consisted of mixed troops, partly [[Greeks|Greek]] and partly Egyptian; between whom jealousies and suspicions were easily sown by the Persian leaders. By these means the Persians rapidly reduced the secondary cities of Lower Egypt, and were advancing upon Memphis. when Nectanebo quit the country and fled southwards to Ethiopia.<ref name="Persianempire"/> 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 and the [[Jews]] in Egypt were sent to the south coast of the [[Caspian Sea]], where the Jews of [[Phoenicia]] were sent, and [[Babylon]]. 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. Aside from the immediate looting, Artaxerxes raised high taxes, and attempted to weaken [[Ancient Egypt|Egypt]] enough that it could never revolt against Persia. For the 10&nbsp;years that Persia controlled Egypt, [[Ancient Egyptian religion|religion]] was persecuted and sacred books were stolen.<ref name="Egyptloot">{{cite web |url=http://www.mnsu.edu/emuseum/prehistory/egypt/history/periods/persianii.html |title=Persian Period II |accessdaymonth=6 March |accessyear=2008}}</ref> Before he returned to Persia, he appointed Pherendares as [[History of Achaemenid Egypt|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. [[Image:Achaemenid Empire-ArtaxerxesIII conquest.png|thumb|[[Persian Empire]] at the beginning of Artaxerxes III's rule (green), and his conquests and suppressed rebellions(Dark grey)]] After the conquest of Egypt, there were no more revolts or rebellions against Artaxerxes. 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. 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. The last six years of the reign of Artaxerxes the Persian Empire was governed by a vigorous and successful government.<ref name=Persianempire/> [[Image:Persepolis Artaxerxes III tomb.jpg|thumb|left|Tomb of Artaxerxes III at [[Persepolis]]]] Persian forces in [[Ionia]] and [[Lycia]] regained their control of the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]] and the [[Mediterranean Sea]] and took over much of [[Athens]]’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.<ref name="conspiracy">{{cite web |url=http://www.iranologie.com/history/Achaemenid/chapter%20V.html |title=Chapter V: Temporary Relief |accessdaymonth= 1 March|accessyear=2008}}</ref> In 341&nbsp;BC, Artaxerxes returned to [[Babylon]], where he apparently proceeded to build a great Apadana whose description is present in the works of Diodorius. 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&nbsp;BC, a force was consequently dispatched to assist the [[Thrace|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.<ref name="Persianempire"/> By the last year of Artaxerxes' rule Philip II already had plans for invasion of the Persian Empire, which would crown his career as world conqueror; But the Greeks did not unite with him.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://historyofmacedonia.org/AncientMacedonia/PhilipofMacedon.html |title= Philip of Macedon Philip II of Macedon Biography |accessdaymonth= 7 March|accessyear=2008}}</ref> In 338&nbsp;BC Artaxerxes was poisoned by Bagoas with the assistance of a physician<ref>{{cite book |title=From Cyrus to Alexander: A history of the Persian Empire |last=Briant |first=Pierre |authorlink=Pierre Briant |year=2002 |publisher=Eienbrauns |isbn=1575061201 |pages=769}}</ref> ==Culture== {{seealso|Zoroastrianism|Mithra|Anahita}} [[Image:Faravahar.svg|thumb|Historically, kings of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] were followers of [[Zoroaster]] or heavily influenced by [[Zoroastrianism|Zoroastrian]] ideology.]] 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vohuman.org/Article/The%20Achaemenians,%20Zoroastrians%20in%20Transition.htm |title=The Achaemenians, Zoroastrians in Transition |accessdaymonth=5 March |accessyear=2008 |author=J. Varza |coauthors=Dr. M. Soroushian}}</ref> Mithra and Anahita had until then been neglected by true Zoroastrians; because they defied Zoroaster’s command that God was to be represented only by the flames of a sacred fire.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livius.org/ag-ai/ahuramazda/ahuramazda.html |title=Ahuramazda and Zoroastranism |accessdaymonth=5 March |accessyear=2008 |last=Lendering |first=Jona |authorlink=Jona Lendering}}</ref><ref name="Lovetoknow"/> Artaxerxes III is thought to have rejected Anahita and worshipped only Ahuramazda and Mithra.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/ot_grp10/ot_mithra_i_20060114.html |title=i. Mithra In Old Indian And Mithra In Old Iranian |accessdaymonth=5 March |accessyear=2008 |author=Hans-Peter Schmidt |date=2006-01-14 }}</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>{{cite web |url=http://www.sacred-texts.com/cla/mom/mom04.htm |title=The Origins Of Mithraism |accessdaymonth=5 March |accessyear=2008}}</ref> 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".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/highlight_objects/cm/s/silver_tetradrachm_of_artaxerx.aspx |title= Silver tetradrachm of Artaxerxes III |accessdaymonth=6 March |accessyear=2008}}</ref> ===In literature=== It is thought by some that the ''[[Book of Judith]]'' could have been originally based on Artaxerxes' campaign in [[Phoenicia]], as [[Holofernes]] was the name of the brother of the [[Cappadocia (satrapy)|Cappadocian satrap]] Ariarathes, the vassal of Artaxerxes. Bagoas, the general that finds Holofernes dead, was one of the generals of Artaxerxes during his campaign against Phoenicia and Egypt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/gerald_larue/otll/chap29.html |title=The Period of Jewish Independence |accessdaymonth=10 March |accessyear=2008 |last=Lare |first=Gerald A. }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.katapi.org.uk/OTApoc/Judith.htm |title=The Book of Judith |accessdaymonth=10 March |accessyear=2008 |author=Paul Ingram }}</ref> ==Constructions== {{seealso|Persepolis}} [[Image:Persepolis Taureaux.jpg|thumb|right|The Unfinished Gate at [[Persepolis]] gave archaeologists an insight into the construction of Persepolis.]] 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.<ref name="Ochus"/> His tomb was cut into the mountain behind the Persepolis platform, next to his [[Artaxerxes II|father's]] tomb. ==Family== Artaxerxes III was the son of [[Artaxerxes II]] and Statira. Artaxerxes II had more than 115 sons by many wives, most of them however were illegitimate. Some of Ochus' noticeable siblings were Rodogune, Apama, Sisygambis, Ocha, Darius and Ariaspes, most of them were murdered soon after his ascension.<ref name="conspiracy"/> Artaxerxes married his niece and the daughter of Oxathres, brother of the future king [[Darius III]].<ref>{{cite book |title=Women in Ancient Persia, 559-331 BC |last=Brosius |first=Maria |year=1996 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=0198152558 |pages=67 }}</ref> His children were [[Arses of Persia|Arses]], the future king of Persia, Bisthanes, and Parysatis.<ref name=Ochus/> {{Achaemenid-tree}} An uncommonly known theory about Artaxerxes is that he is mistaken for [[Darius II]], the son of [[Artaxerxes I]], due to the fact that they share the same name, Ochus. The same theory also suggests that Persia's meddling in Greece was in fact a war against the [[Macedon]]ians, and that, Artaxerxes drove the Macedonians to extremes and so they had to pay forty thousand pieces of gold and offer the hand of the [[List of kings of Macedon|King of Macedon's]] daughter to Artaxerxes. But Artaxerxes sent her back to her father because of her offensive breath. The theory further suggests that the daughter was pregnant with Artaxerxes' son, who is thought to be [[Alexander the Great]].<ref name="Alexander">{{cite book |title=The Journal of Sacred Literature Vol.VII |last=Burgess, Kitto, Cowper |first=J., H., B.H. |year=1854 |publisher=C. Cox |location=London |isbn=|pages=379–380 }}</ref> This could be another explanation why Alexander adopted the Persian royal title of [[Shahanshah]]. {{s-start}} {{s-hou|[[Achaemenid dynasty]]||''Ca.'' 425 BC||338 BC}} {{s-bef|rows=1|before=[[Artaxerxes II of Persia|Artaxerxes II]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of kings of Persia|Great King (Shah) of Persia]]|years=358 BC &ndash; 338 BC}} {{s-aft|rows=2|after=[[Arses of Persia|Artaxerxes IV Arses]]}} {{s-bef|before=[[Nectanebo II]]}} {{s-ttl|title=[[List of Pharaohs|Pharaoh of Egypt]]|years=343 BC &ndash; 338 BC|dynasty=XXXI Dynasty}} {{end}} ==See also== * [[List of kings of Persia]] * [[Achaemenid Empire]] * [[Persian Empire]] * [[History of Achaemenid Egypt]] * [[List of Pharaohs#Thirty-first_Dynasty|List of Pharaohs]] * [[Second Persian conquest of Egypt]] * [[History of Achaemenid Egypt#The second Egyptian satrapy|History of Achaemenid Egypt]] ==References== {{reflist|2}} ==External links== {{Commonscat|Artaxerxes III}}{{Wikibooks|Iranian History/Contents/The Era of the Three Dariuses}}{{Wikisource|Ancient Egypt (Rawlinson)/The Light Goes Out in Darkness}} * [http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Iranian_History/Contents/The_Era_of_the_Three_Dariuses#Artaxerxes_I_465_-_424_BC/ Wikibooks "Era of three Dariuses"] * [http://www.iranologie.com/history/Achaemenid/chapter%20V.html/ Achaemenid Empire:Temporary Relief] * [http://persianempire.info/ArtaxerxesIII.htm/ Persianempire.info] [[Category:425 BC births]] [[Category:338 BC deaths]] [[Category:Monarchs of Persia]] [[Category:Murdered monarchs]] [[Category:Pharaohs of the Achaemenid dynasty of Egypt]] [[Category:Achaemenid kings]] [[ca:Artaxerxes III de Pèrsia]] [[cs:Artaxerxés III.]] [[de:Artaxerxes III.]] [[es:Artajerjes III Oco]] [[eo:Artaĥŝaŝt la 3-a]] [[fr:Artaxerxès III]] [[gl:Artaxerxes III]] [[ko:아르타크세르크세스 3세]] [[it:Artaserse III di Persia]] [[ka:ართახშასა III]] [[nl:Artaxerxes III]] [[ja:アルタクセルクセス3世]] [[no:Artaxerxes III av Persia]] [[pl:Artakserkses III]] [[pt:Artaxerxes III da Pérsia]] [[ru:Артаксеркс III]] [[sk:Artaxerxes III.]] [[sr:Артаксеркс III]] [[fi:Artakserkses III]] [[sv:Artaxerxes III]] [[vi:Artaxerxes III của Ba Tư]] [[uk:Артаксеркс III]] [[zh:阿尔塔薛西斯三世]]