View source for Artaxerxes II

{{Short description|King of the Achaemenid Empire from 405/4 to 359/8 BC}}
{{Infobox royalty
| name         = Artaxerxes II<br />𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂
| title        = 
| image        = Artaxerxes II relief detail.jpg
| image_size   = 250px
| alt          = Stone relief
| caption      = The [[Rock relief]] of Artaxerxes II in [[Persepolis]]
| succession   = [[King of Kings]] of the [[Achaemenid Empire]]
| reign        = 405/4–359/8 BC
| predecessor  = [[Darius II]]
| successor    = [[Artaxerxes III]]
| birth_name   = Arses
| birth_date   = {{circa|436 BC}} (or 453 or 445 BC)
| birth_place  = 
| death_date   = November 359 – April 358 BC{{sfn|Binder|2008|pp=109, 359}}
| death_place  = 
| burial_place = [[Persepolis]]
| spouse       = [[Stateira (wife of Artaxerxes II)|Stateira]]
| issue        = {{ubl|[[Darius (son of Artaxerxes II)|Darius]]|[[Ariaspes]]|[[Artaxerxes III]]|[[Rhodogune (daughter of Artaxerxes II)|Rhodogune]]}}
| issue-link   = #Issue
| issue-pipe   = among others
| full name    = 
| regnal name  = 
| native_lang1 = <!-- up to | native_lang5 = -->
| native_lang1_name1 = <!-- up to | native_lang5_name1 = -->
| dynasty      = [[Achaemenid dynasty|Achaemenid]]
| father       = [[Darius II]]
| mother       = [[Parysatis]]
| religion     = [[Zoroastrianism]]
}}
'''Arses''' or '''Arsaces''' ({{c.}} 445–359/8 BC), known by his regnal name '''Artaxerxes II''' ({{langx|peo|<small>𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂</small>}} {{Transliteration|peo|Artaxšaçāʰ}}; {{langx|grc|Ἀρταξέρξης}}), was [[King of Kings]] of the [[Achaemenid Empire]] from 405/4 BC to 359/8 BC. He was the son and successor of [[Darius II]] ({{reign|423|405/4 BC}}) and his mother was [[Parysatis]].

Soon after his accession, Artaxerxes II faced opposition from his younger brother [[Cyrus the Younger]], who assembled an army composed of troops from his [[Lydia]]n and [[Ionians|Ionian]] satrapies as well as Greek mercenaries in his bid for the throne. The forces of the brothers clashed at [[Battle of Cunaxa|Cunaxa]] in 401 BC, which resulted in the defeat and death of Cyrus. Following this, Artaxerxes II had to contend with several other revolts; a revolt by [[Evagoras I]] ({{reign|411|374|era=BC}}) in [[Cyprus]] between 391–380 BC, by the [[Phoenicians]] in {{circa|380 BC}}, and most importantly, the revolts by the western satraps (known as the [[Great Satraps' Revolt]]) in the 360s and 350s BC, led by distinguished figures such as [[Datames]], [[Ariobarzanes of Phrygia|Ariobarzanes]], and [[Autophradates]].

The rulers of the [[Parthian Empire]] notably considered Artaxerxes II their [[progenitor]].

== Name and etymology ==
The given name of Artaxerxes II was, as rendered in [[Greek language|Greek]], Arses ({{lang|grc|Ἄρσης}}; [[Akkadian language|Babylonian]]: ''Aršu''), derived from the [[Old Persian]] ''*Ṛšā-'' ("man", "hero"). He was also widely known by the hypocorism [[wikt:𐎠𐎼𐏁𐎣|{{Transliteration|peo|Aršak|nocat=yes}}]], which is attested in several Greek forms including {{lang|grc-Latn|Arsikas}} ([[Plutarch]]), {{lang|grc-Latn|Arsakas}} and {{lang|grc-Latn|Arsaces}} (''[[Persica (Ctesias)|Persica]]''). From ''Arsaces'' also derives the name of the [[Arsacid dynasty]], which ruled the [[Parthian Empire]] and claimed descent from Artaxerxes II himself.{{sfn|Briant|2002|pp=986, 1150}}{{sfn|Binder|2008|pp=97–98}}{{sfn|Olbrycht|2021|p=146}}

{{Transliteration|grc|Artaxerxēs}} ({{lang|grc|Αρταξέρξης}}) is the [[Greek language|Greek]] rendition of the Old Persian ''Artaxšaçā'' ("whose reign is through [[Asha|truth]]").{{sfn|Schmitt|1986a|pp=654–655}} It is known in other languages as: [[Elamite]] ''Ir-tak-ik-ša-iš-ša'', ''Ir-da-ik-ša-iš-ša''; [[Akkadian language|Akkadian]] ''Ar-ta-ʾ-ḫa-šá-is-su''; [[Middle Persian]] ''Ardaxšēr'' and [[New Persian]] ''Ardašīr''.{{sfn|Frye|1983|p=178}}{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|1986|pp=371–376}}

Greek authors gave Artaxerxes II the epithet "Mnemon" ({{langx|grc|Μνήμων}}; {{langx|peo|abiataka|italic=yes}}), meaning "remembering" or "having a good memory."{{sfn|Schmitt|1986b|pp=656–658}}

== Historiography ==
The life and reign of Artaxerxes II is attested mostly in classical Greek sources, which generally focus on the history of the western front. However, due to Artaxerxes II's younger brother [[Cyrus the Younger]]'s recruiting many Greeks during the latter's rebellion, the reign of Artaxerxes II is well documented until Cyrus' death at the [[Battle of Cunaxa]] in 401 BC. Following that date, information on the rest of Artaxerxes II's reign becomes much more sparse.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=612}}

Plutarch, when writing his ''Life of Artaxerxes II'', used Ctesias, Dinon, Xenophon, and a few others as references. Plutarch's is the only ancient biography of an Achaemenid king.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=612}} According to the modern historian Carsten Binder, Plutarch's work is an "eloquent but hardly reliable source of information" and it "should be treated with the greatest caution."{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=460}}

== Background and early life ==
Arsaces was the eldest son of [[Darius II]], who ruled the Persian [[Achaemenid Empire]] from 424 to 405/4 BC. His mother was [[Parysatis]], a half-sister of Darius II.{{sfn|Llewellyn-Jones|2017|p=76}} His age at death is variously given as 86 ([[Lucian]]) and 94 ([[Dinon]]) years, which would place his birth around 453 or 445 BC.{{sfn|Binder|2008|pp=85, 109, 355}} Briant simply notes that Arses was born before his father's accession in 424,{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}} while another author states that he was "at least in his late seventies in the early 360s".<ref>Stephen Ruzicka, ''Trouble in the West: Egypt and the Persian Empire, 525–332 BC'' (Oxford University Press, 2012), p. 263, n. 16</ref> Darius II and Parysatis had thirteen children, most of whom died prematurely. Thus the only known full siblings of Arsaces were his younger brothers Cyrus, [[Ostanes (son of Darius II)|Ostanes]], Oxathres, and an older sister, Amestris.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}}

With the exception of Arsaces and Cyrus, not much is known about the children of Darius II and Parysatis. Cyrus was most likely born in 424/423 BC, just after the accession of Darius II.{{sfn|Podrazik|2017|p=278}} In 408 BC, at the age of 15 or 16, Cyrus was appointed the satrap of [[Lydia]], [[Greater Phrygia]], and [[Cappadocia]]. He also succeeded [[Tissaphernes]] as the commander-in-chief of the Persian force stationed at [[Castolus (Lydia)|Castolus]], east of the city of [[Sardis]].{{sfn|Schmitt|1993|pp=524–526}} Cyrus was given the title of ''karanos'' ([[Old Iranian]]: ''*Karana''), which greatly expanded his authority both politically and militarily, and allowed him to become largely autonomous.{{sfn|Podrazik|2017|p=278}}

Before his accession, Arsaces married [[Stateira (wife of Artaxerxes II)|Stateira]], the daughter of the Persian nobleman [[Hydarnes (father of Stateira)|Hydarnes]], who was descended from [[Hydarnes]], one of the seven Persian conspirators who overthrew the [[Bardiya|Pseudo-Smerdis]].{{sfn|Schmitt|2004|pp=588–590}} The marriage was part of a political alliance that Darius had sought during his early reign, due to facing opposition against his rule. Amestris was also married to Hydarnes' son [[Terituchmes]], while Hydarnes was appointed the satrap of [[Hyrcania]].{{sfn|Waters|2017|p=101}}{{sfn|Lewis|2006|p=225}}

When Darius II was on his deathbed, Arsaces was by his side. According to Xenophon, Darius II summoned Cyrus, who arrived with Tissaphernes and 300 Greek [[hoplite]]s.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}}{{sfn|Kuhrt|2013|p=353}} Plutarch, however, reports that it was Parysatis who summoned Cyrus, as she favoured him over Arsaces. He further adds that she attempted to convince Darius II to choose Cyrus as his heir, as the position was still vacant.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}} Modern historians question Plutarch's account, and state that Arsaces must have already been chosen as heir previously, probably several years earlier.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}}{{sfn|Waters|2014|p=177}}

During the coronation of Arsaces at the southern capital of [[Pasargadae]], Cyrus allegedly attempted to have his brother assassinated. The plan was exposed by Tissaphernes, but Cyrus was spared following the intervention of Parysatis and sent back to Asia Minor. The authenticity of this event is deemed uncertain by modern historians.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=616}}{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=460}}{{sfn|Waters|2014|p=177}} According to Binder, the transition of power between Darius II and Arsaces was seemingly peaceful.{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=460}} Upon his [[investiture]], Arsaces adopted the throne name of Artaxerxes.<ref>{{harvnb|Llewellyn-Jones|2013|p=13}}: "At the royal investiture, the new Persian king adopted an official throne name and stopped using the familial name by which he had previously been known (before his accession, for example, [[Darius II]] was called Ochus, and Artaxerxes II had been called Arses or Arsaces; [[Persica (Ctesias)|Ctesias]] F15 §47, 55)."</ref>

== Reign ==
=== Dynastic conflict with Cyrus the Younger (401 BC) ===
Tissaphernes noted that Cyrus the Younger's claims to be on a military expedition to attack the [[Pisidia]]ns had many flaws that led him to believe that Cyrus was planning to revolt. These claims became realized when Cyrus began to seek political support for his campaign. Cyrus found support from [[Sparta]], who sent soldiers to aid the campaign against Artaxerxes II. Notably, Cyrus found support from a Persian kingdom of [[Kingdom of Cilicia (ancient)|Cilicia]], who contributed to the effort through funds. During this time, due to Tissaphernes' reports, Artaxerxes II began to build up a force to contend with his younger brother's revolt.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/cyrus-the-younger/ | title=Cyrus the Younger - Livius | website=www.livius.org | access-date=2019-05-08}}</ref>

By the time of Darius II's death, Cyrus had already been successful in defeating the Syrians and Cilicians and was commanding a large army made up of his initial supporters plus those who had joined him in Phrygia and beyond. Upon hearing of his father's death, Cyrus the Younger declared his claim to the throne, based on the argument that he was born to Darius and Parysatis after Darius had ascended to the throne, while Artaxerxes was born prior to Darius II's gaining the throne.

[[File:Adrien Guignet - Retreat of the ten thousand.jpg|thumb|Retreat of the [[Ten Thousand]], at the [[Battle of Cunaxa]], Jean Adrien Guignet]]
Artaxerxes II initially wanted to resolve the conflict peacefully, but the negotiations fell through.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://iranologie.com/the-history-page/the-achaemenid-empire/ | title=The Achaemenid Empire | date=2014-04-25 | website=Iranologie.com | language=en | access-date=2019-04-30}}</ref> Cyrus also ran into issues with the locals, who were loyal to Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes defended his position against his brother Cyrus the Younger, who with the aid of a large army of Greek mercenaries called the "[[Ten Thousand]]", attempted to usurp the throne. Though Cyrus' mixed army fought to a tactical victory at the [[Battle of Cunaxa]] in Babylon (401 BC), Cyrus himself was killed in the exchange by Mithridates, rendering his victory irrelevant. The Greek historian [[Xenophon]], himself one of the leaders of the Greek troops, would later recount this battle in the ''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]]'', focusing on the struggle of the now-stranded Greek mercenaries to return home.

===Conflict against Sparta (396–387 BC)===
[[File:Altikulac Sarcophagus Dynast of Hellespontine Phrygia attacking a Greek psiloi early 4th century BCE.jpg|thumb|Armoured cavalry of Achaemenid [[Hellespontine Phrygia]] attacking a Greek [[psiloi]] at the time of Artaxerxes II and his Satrap [[Pharnabazus II]], [[Altıkulaç Sarcophagus]], early fourth century BC]]
{{main|Corinthian War}}
Artaxerxes became involved in a war with Persia's erstwhile allies, the Spartans, during the [[Corinthian War]] (395–387 BC). The Spartans under their king [[Agesilaus II]] had started by invading Asia Minor in 396–395 BC. To redirect the Spartans' attention to Greek affairs, Artaxerxes subsidized their enemies through his envoy [[Timocrates of Rhodes]]; in particular, the [[Athens|Athenians]], [[Thebes, Greece|Thebans]], and [[Corinth]]ians received massive subsidies. Tens of thousands of [[darics]], the main currency in [[Achaemenid coinage]], were used to bribe these Greek states to start [[Corinthian War|a war]] against Sparta.<ref name="CC">{{cite encyclopedia |entry=Daric |title=Coins and Currency: An Historical Encyclopedia |author=Mary Ellen Snodgrass |year=2003 |publisher=McFarland |isbn=978-0-7864-3117-5 |pages=124–125 |url=https://archive.org/details/coinscurrency00mary/page/124}}</ref> According to [[Plutarch]], the Spartan king [[Agesilaus II]] said, upon leaving Asia Minor, "I have been driven out by ten thousand Persian archers," alluding to the archer depicted on Persian coins.<ref>{{cite Plutarch|Agesilaus|15|6}}</ref><ref>In ''Artaxerxes'' the figure is inflated to "thirty thousand Persian archers." {{cite Plutarch|Artaxerxes|20}}</ref>

The Achaemenids, allied with Athens, managed to utterly destroy the Spartan fleet at the [[Battle of Cnidus]] (394 BC). After that, the Achaemenid satrap of [[Hellespontine Phrygia]], [[Pharnabazus II]], together with former Athenian admiral [[Conon]], raided the coasts of [[Peloponnesia]], putting increased pressure on the Spartans. This encouraged the resurgence of Athens, which started to bring back under her control the Greek cities of Asia Minor, thus worrying Artaxerxes II that his Athenian allies were becoming too powerful.

====Final agreement with Sparta (387 BC)====
[[File:King's Peace 387 BC.jpg|thumb|The [[Peace of Antalcidas|King's Peace]], promulgated by Artaxerxes II in 387 BC, put an end to the [[Corinthian War]] under the guarantee of the Achaemenid Empire.]]
In 386 BC, Artaxerxes II betrayed his allies and came to an arrangement with Sparta, and in the [[Treaty of Antalcidas]], he forced his erstwhile allies to come to terms. This treaty restored control of the Greek cities of [[Ionia]] and [[Aeolis]] on the Anatolian coast to the Persians, while giving Sparta dominance on the Greek mainland. In 385 BC, Artaxerxes [[Artaxerxes' II Cadusian Campaign|campaigned against the Cadusians]].

===Egypt campaign (373 BC)===
Although successful against the Greeks, Artaxerxes had more trouble with the [[Egypt]]ians, who had successfully revolted against him at the beginning of his reign. An attempt to reconquer Egypt in 373 BC under the command of [[Pharnabazus II|Pharnabazus]], satrap of [[Hellespontine Phrygia]], was completely unsuccessful, but in his waning years, the Persians did manage to defeat a joint Egyptian–Spartan effort to conquer [[Phoenicia]].

====Unfolding of the Egyptian campaign====
In 377 BC, Pharnabazus was reassigned by Artaxerxes II to help command a military expedition into rebellious Egypt, having proven his ability against the Spartans.<ref>{{Cite book | title=Trouble in the West: Egypt and the Persian Empire, 525–332 BC | last=Ruzicka | first=Stephen | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=2012 | isbn=978-0-19-976662-8 | location=New York, NY | pages=55–62}}</ref>

[[File:Achaemenid campaign against Egypt 373 BCE.jpg|thumb|upright|Achaemenid campaign of Pharnabazus II against Egypt in 373 BC]]
After four years of preparations in the Levant, Pharnabazus gathered an expeditionary force of 200,000 Persian troops, 300 triremes, 200 galleys, and 12,000 Greeks under [[Iphicrates]].<ref name="IG372">{{cite book | last1=Gershevitch | first1=I. | last2=Fisher | first2=William Bayne | last3=Boyle | first3=John Andrew | last4=Yarshater | first4=Ehsan | last5=Frye | first5=Richard Nelson | title=The Cambridge History of Iran | date=1985 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn=978-0-521-20091-2 | page=372 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBbyr932QdYC&pg=PA372 | language=en}}</ref> The Achaemenid Empire had also been applying pressure on Athens to recall the Greek general [[Chabrias]], who was in the service of the Egyptians, but in vain.{{sfn|Grimal|1992|pp=375–376}} The Egyptian ruler [[Nectanebo I]] was thus supported by Athenian General Chabrias and his mercenaries.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Ruzicka | first1=Stephen | title=Trouble in the West: Egypt and the Persian Empire, 525–332 BC | date=2012 | publisher=Oxford University Press | isbn=978-0-19-990877-6 | pages=99–105 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XVFpAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA99 | language=en}}</ref>

The Achaemenid force landed in Egypt with the Athenian general Iphicrates near [[Mendes]] in 373 BC.<ref name="IG373">{{cite book | last1=Gershevitch | first1=I. | last2=Fisher | first2=William Bayne | last3=Boyle | first3=John Andrew | last4=Yarshater | first4=Ehsan | last5=Frye | first5=Richard Nelson | title=The Cambridge History of Iran | date=1985 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn=978-0-521-20091-2 | page=373 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBbyr932QdYC&pg=PA373 | language=en}}</ref>  The expedition force was too slow, giving time to the Egyptians to strengthen defenses. Pharnabazus and Iphicrates appeared before [[Pelusium]], but retired without attacking it, [[Nectanebo I]], king of Egypt, having added to its former defences by laying the neighboring lands under water, and blocking up the navigable channels of the Nile by embankments. ([[Diodorus Siculus]] xv. 42; [[Cornelius Nepos]], ''[[Iphicrates]]'' c. 5.) Fortifications on the [[Pelusium|Pelusiac]] branch of the Nile ordered by Nectanebo forced the enemy fleet to seek another way to sail up the [[Nile]]. Eventually the fleet managed to find its way up the less-defended Mendesian branch.{{sfn|Grimal|1992|pp=375–376}} At this point, the mutual distrust that had arisen between Iphicrates and Pharnabazus prevented the enemy from reaching [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]]. Then, the annual [[Nile flood]] and the Egyptian defenders' resolve to defend their territory turned what had initially appeared as certain defeat for Nectanebo I and his troops into a complete victory.{{sfn|Lloyd|1994|p=348}}

After several weeks, the Persians and their Greek mercenaries under Iphicrates had to re-embark. The expedition against Egypt had failed.<ref name="IG373"/> It was the end of the career of Pharnabazus, who was now over 70 years old.<ref name="IG">{{cite book | last1=Gershevitch | first1=I. | last2=Fisher | first2=William Bayne | last3=Boyle | first3=John Andrew | last4=Yarshater | first4=Ehsan | last5=Frye | first5=Richard Nelson | title=The Cambridge History of Iran | date=1985 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn=978-0-521-20091-2 | page=374 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BBbyr932QdYC&pg=PA374 | language=en}}</ref> Pharnabazus was replaced by [[Datames]] to lead a second expedition to Egypt, but he failed and then started the "Satraps' Revolt" against the Great King.<ref name="IG"/>

===Revolt of the Satraps (372–362 BC)===
{{main|Great Satraps' Revolt}}
The Achaemenid defeat in Egypt led to unrest among the Achaemenid nobility.  From 372 BC, many western satrapies of the Achaemenid Empire started to rebel against Artaxerxes II, in the [[Great Satraps' Revolt]], starting with the powerful satrap [[Datames]]. Following the failure of [[Pharnabazus II]] in Egypt, Datames had been entrusted by the Persian king with the chief command of a force designed for the recovery of [[History of ancient Egypt|Egypt]], but the machinations of his enemies at the Persian court, and the risks to which he was in consequence exposed, induced him to change his plan, and throw off his allegiance to the king. He withdrew with the troops under his command into [[Cappadocia]], and made common cause with the other satraps who were revolting from Persia.

The Pharaoh Nectanebo provided financial support to the rebelling satraps and re-established ties with both Sparta and Athens.{{sfn|Grimal|1992|p=377}} Artaxerxes II finally quashed the revolt of the satraps by 362 BC.

===Peace mediation in the Theban–Spartan War (368–366 BC)===
[[File:Double daric 330-300 obverse CdM Paris.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Daric]] of Artaxerxes II]]
Artaxerxes again attempted to mediate in conflicts between the Greek city-states at the time of the [[Theban hegemony]], especially the [[Theban–Spartan War]]. He sent [[Philiscus of Abydos]], a [[hyparch]] (vice-regent) and military commander of the Achaemenid satrap [[Ariobarzanes of Phrygia|Ariobarzanes]], to Delphi in order to help the Greek negotiate peace.<ref name="JH113"/><ref name="JH">{{cite book |last1=Heskel |first1=Julia |title=The North Aegean Wars, 371–360 B.C |year=1997 |publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag |isbn=978-3-515-06917-5 | page=96 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djGmzkjbyGUC&pg=PA96}}</ref><ref name="JF">{{cite book |last1=Fine |first1=John Van Antwerp |title=The Ancient Greeks: A Critical History | date=1983 | publisher=Harvard University Press | isbn=978-0-674-03314-6 | page=[https://archive.org/details/ancientgreeks00john/page/584 584] | url=https://archive.org/details/ancientgreeks00john | url-access=registration | language=en}}</ref> The objective of Philicus of Abydos was such to help broker a Common Peace between the Greek belligerents reunited at [[Delphi]].<ref name="JF"/> The negotiation collapsed when Thebes refused to return [[Messenia]] to the Spartans.<ref name="JF"/>

Before returning to Abydos, Philicus used Achaemenid funds to finance an army for the Spartans, suggesting that he was acting in support of the Spartans from the beginning.<ref name="JF"/> With the Achaemenid financing of a new army, Sparta was able to continue the war.<ref name="PS">{{cite book | last1=Souza | first1=Philip de | last2=France | first2=John | title=War and Peace in Ancient and Medieval History | date=2008 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn=978-1-139-46948-7 | page=41 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9j7zoDeWTdwC&pg=PA41 | language=en}}</ref> Among the mercenaries whom he had recruited, Philiscus gave 2,000 to the Spartans.<ref name="JH113"/> He also probably provided funds to the Athenians and promised them, on behalf of the King, to help them recover the [[Thracian Chersonese|Chersonese]] militarily.<ref name="JH113">{{cite book | last1=Heskel | first1=Julia | title=The North Aegean Wars, 371–360 B.C | date=1997 | publisher=Franz Steiner Verlag | isbn=978-3-515-06917-5 | page=113 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djGmzkjbyGUC&pg=PA113 | language=en}}</ref> Both Philiscus and Ariobarzanes were made citizens of Athens, a remarkable honor suggesting important services rendered to the city-state.<ref name="JH113"/>

During autumn of 367 BCE, first the Spartans, soon followed by the Athenians, the Arcadians, the Argives, the Eleans, the Thebans, and other Greek city-states, sent envoys to Susa in attempts to obtain the support of Achaemenid king Artaxerxes II in the Greek conflict.<ref name="JF"/> The Achaemenid king proposed a new peace treaty, this time highly tilted in favour of Thebes, which required Messenia to remain independent and that the Athenian fleet to be dismantled. This Peace proposal was rejected by most Greek parties except Thebes.<ref>{{cite book | last1=Fine | first1=John Van Antwerp | title=The Ancient Greeks: A Critical History | date=1983 | publisher=Harvard University Press | isbn=978-0-674-03314-6 | page=[https://archive.org/details/ancientgreeks00john/page/585 585] | url=https://archive.org/details/ancientgreeks00john | url-access=registration | language=en}}</ref><ref name="PS"/>

Sparta and Athens, dissatisfied with the Persian king's support of [[Thebes, Greece|Thebes]], decided to provide careful military support to the opponents of the Achaemenid king. Athens and Sparta provided support for the revolted satraps, in particular [[Ariobarzanes of Phrygia|Ariobarzanes]]. Sparta sent a force to Ariobarzanes under an aging [[Agesilaus II]], while Athens sent a force under [[Timotheus (general)|Timotheus]], which was however diverted when it became obvious that Ariobarzanes had entered frontal conflict with the Achaemenid king.<ref name="PS"/><ref name="JH"/> An Athenian mercenary force under [[Chabrias]] was also sent to the Egyptian Pharaoh [[Teos of Egypt|Tachos]], who was also fighting against the Achaemenid king.<ref name="PS"/>

==Building projects==
[[File:Persepolis Tomb of Artaxerxes II Mnemon (r.404-358 BCE) Upper Relief soldiers with labels.jpg|thumb|upright=1.8|Ethnicities of the soldiers of the Empire, on the tomb of Artaxerxes II. On the lintel over each figure appears a trilingual inscription describing each ethnicity.<ref name="Darius in the Shadow of Alexander">{{cite book | last1=Briant | first1=Pierre | title=Darius in the Shadow of Alexander | date=2015 | publisher=Harvard University Press | isbn=978-0-674-49309-4 | page=25 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j02xBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA25 | language=en}}</ref> These are known collectively as [https://www.livius.org/sources/content/achaemenid-royal-inscriptions/a2pa/ "Inscription A2Pa"].]]
Much of Artaxerxes's wealth was spent on building projects. He restored the [[Palace of Darius I at Susa]],<ref>{{Cite web | title=Achaemenid Royal Inscriptions: A2Sa | url=https://www.livius.org/aa-ac/achaemenians/A2Sa.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050310064734/http://www.livius.org/aa-ac/achaemenians/A2Sa.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=March 10, 2005 | website=www.livius.org | access-date=2015-06-21}}</ref> and also the fortifications; including a strong redoubt at the south-east corner of the enclosure and gave [[Ecbatana]] a new [[apadana]] and sculptures.

=== Tomb at Persepolis ===
The tomb of Artaxerxes II is located at [[Persepolis]], and was built on the model of his predecessors at [[Naqsh-e Rustam]]. On the upper register of the tomb appear reliefs of the Emperor, supported by the soldiers of all ethnicities of the Empire. On the lintel over each figure appears a trilingual inscription describing each ethnicity.<ref name="Darius in the Shadow of Alexander"/> These are known collectively as [https://www.livius.org/sources/content/achaemenid-royal-inscriptions/a2pa/ "Inscription A2Pa"].

<gallery>
File:Persepolis - Tomb of Artaxerxes II.jpg|Tomb of Artaxerxes II in [[Persepolis]].
File:Persepolis Artaxerxes II tomb.jpg|Tomb of Artaxerxes II in [[Persepolis]].
File:Persepolis Tomb of Artaxerxes II Mnemon (r.404-358 BCE) Upper Relief.jpg|Upper Relief of the tomb of Artaxerxes II.
File:Persepolis Tomb of Artaxerxes II Mnemon (r.404-358 BCE) Upper Relief Indian soldiers with labels.jpg|Soldiers of many ethnicities on the upper relief
</gallery>

== Religious policies ==
Since the reign of [[Darius the Great]] ({{reign|522|486|era=BC}}), Achaemenid inscriptions make mention of unnamed gods alongside [[Ahura Mazda]],{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=463}} who was considered the supreme god of the [[Zoroastrian]] pantheon by the royal family.{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=1286}} It was first under Artaxerxes II that the identities of these gods were uncovered. In a trilingual inscription at [[Susa]], he invokes the deities [[Anahita]] and [[Mithra]] alongside Ahura Mazda.{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=463}}{{sfn|Schmitt|1986b|pp=656–658}}

Artaxerxes II was thus the first known Achaemenid king to recognize Anahita, who was the divinity of "the Waters" and hence associated with fertility, healing and wisdom.{{sfn|Boyce|Chaumont|Bier|1985}} He promoted the worship of Anahita, erecting temples and statues of the goddess across the empire.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2021|p=89}} This included the cities of [[Ecbatana]], Susa, and [[Babylon]].{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=463}}

The [[Temple of Anahita, Istakhr|temple of Anahita]] in [[Istakhr]] was also most likely founded by Artaxerxes II. At the start of the 3rd century AD, the temple was repaired and adorned by the Persian [[Sasanian dynasty|Sasanian family]], who acted as the hereditary caretakers of the temple.{{sfn|Boyce|Chaumont|Bier|1985}}

== Legacy ==
The Persian Empire under Artaxerxes II was viewed{{by whom|date=June 2019}} as a political power that had many unfortunate complications, such as the many wars with Greece. One aspect of his legacy which would have great influence upon his successors was his conflict with Cyrus the Younger. This conflict was remembered due to the power vacuum that followed, allowing the [[Great Satraps' Revolt|Satrap Revolt]] and the [[Amyrtaeus|rebellion of Egypt]]. Artaxerxes II was also remembered for his works to restore monuments of his predecessors. His largest restoration was that of the [[Palace of Darius in Susa]]. He would also be remembered for his tomb in Persepolis.

The image of Artaxerxes from contemporary foreign sources depicts him in a similar light to his image among those in the Achaemenid Empire. The Greek portrayal highlights his long rule with many conflicts and shortcomings of Artaxerxes II in his ability to control his empire. Greek sources also focus on his problems in his court with his harem and [[eunuch]]s, as in [[Claudius Aelianus]]'s accounts of [[Aspasia of Phocaea]] and [[Tiridates (eunuch)|Tiridates]]. Greek sources portray Artaxerxes II as sad in his reign.<ref>{{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=j02xBQAAQBAJ&q=Artaxerxes+II&pg=PA25 | title=Darius in the Shadow of Alexander | last=Briant | first=Pierre | date=2015 | publisher=Harvard University Press | isbn=978-0-674-49309-4 | language=en}}</ref>

==Identification==
The Jewish [[Johanan (High Priest)|high priest Johanan]] is mentioned in the [[Johanan (High Priest)#Archaeology|Elephantine papyri]]<ref>Pritchard, James B. ed., Ancient Near Eastern Texts Relating to the Old Testament, Princeton University Press, third edition with supplement 1969, {{ISBN|978-0-691-03503-1}}, p. 492</ref><ref>Bezalel Porten (Author), J. J. Farber (Author), C. J. F. Martin (Author), G. Vittmann (Author), The Elephantine Papyri in English (Documenta Et Monumenta Orientis Antiqui, book 22), Koninklijke Brill NV, The Netherlands, 1996, {{ISBN|978-1-58983-628-0}}, p 125-153.</ref> dated to 407 BC, i.e., during [[Darius II]]'s reign, and is also mentioned in [[Ezra#Timeline|Ezra]] [https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=ezra+6%3A10&version=KJV 6:10] after the reign of Darius ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+6%3A1&version=KJV Ezra 6:1]) and during the rule of Artaxerxes ([https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ezra+7%3A1&version=KJV Ezra 7:1]), thereby supporting the chronological sequence.

[[Ahasuerus#Historical identification|Amongst others]], it has been suggested that Artaxerxes II was the [[Ahasuerus]] mentioned in the [[Book of Esther]]. [[Plutarch]] in his ''Lives'' (AD 75) records alternative names ''Oarses'' and ''Arsicas'' for Artaxerxes II Mnemon given by [[Deinon]] (c. 360–340 BC<ref>{{Encyclopædia Iranica Online | first=Wolfgang | last=Felix | date=November 28, 2011 | orig-date=1995 | article=Dinon | volume=7 | fascicle=4 | pages=419-420}}</ref>) and [[Ctesias]] (Artexerxes II's physician<ref>Jona Lendering, ''Ctesias of Cnidus'', Livius, Articles on Ancient History, 1996–2008</ref>) respectively.<ref>John Dryden, Arthur Hugh Clough, ''Plutarch's Lives'', Little, Brown and Company, 1885</ref> These derive from the Persian name ''Khshayarsha'' as do "Ahasuerus" ("(Arta)Xerxes") and the [[hypocoristicon]] "Arshu" for Artaxerxes II found on a contemporary inscription (''LBAT'' 162{{sfn|Dandamaev|1989}}). These sources thus arguably identify Ahasuerus as Artaxerxes II in light of the names used in the Hebrew and Greek sources and accords with the contextual information from Pseudo-Hecataeus and [[Berossus]]<ref name="Hosch">Jacob Hoschander, ''The Book of Esther in the Light of History'', Oxford University Press, 1923</ref> as well as agreeing with Al-Tabari and Masudi's placement of events. The 13th century Syriac historian [[Bar-Hebraeus]] in his ''Chronography'', also identifies Ahasuerus as Artaxerxes II citing the sixth century AD historian [[John of Ephesus]].<ref>E. A. W. Budge, ''The Chronography of Bar Hebraeus'', Gorgias Press LLC, reprinted 2003</ref><ref>Jan Jacob van Ginkel, ''John of Ephesus. A Monophysite Historian in Sixth-century Byzantium'', Groningen, 1995</ref>

==Issue==
Artaxerxes II is reported to have had a number of wives. His main wife was [[Stateira (wife of Artaxerxes II)|Stateira]], until she was poisoned by Artaxerxes's mother [[Parysatis]] in about 400 BC.{{sfn|Schmitt|1986b}} Artaxerxes II is said to have more than 115 sons from 350 wives.<ref>{{Cite web | title=The Achaemenid Empire | date=25 April 2014 | url=http://iranologie.com/the-history-page/the-achaemenid-empire/ | access-date=2015-06-21}}[http://www.iranologie.com/history/Achaemenid/chapter%20V.html <!-- Bot generated title -->] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080619124220/http://www.iranologie.com/history/Achaemenid/chapter%20V.html |date=2008-06-19 }}</ref>{{sfn|Schmitt|1986b}}

;By [[Stateira (wife of Artaxerxes II)|Stateira]]
:[[Darius (son of Artaxerxes II)|Darius]] (probably aged over 50 in 366 BC){{sfn|Dandamaev|1989|p=306}}
:[[Ariaspes]] or Ariarathes
:Ochus ([[Artaxerxes III]])
:[[Rhodogune (daughter of Artaxerxes II)|Rhodogune]], wife of satrap [[Orontes I]]
:[[Atossa (daughter of Artaxerxes II)|Atossa]], wife of [[Artaxerxes III]]
:[[Sisygambis]], mother of [[Darius III]]

;By other wives
:[[Arsames (son of Artaxerxes II)|Arsames]]
:[[Mithridates (son of Artaxerxes II)|Mithridates]]
:[[Phriapatius (son of Artaxerxes II)|Phriapatius]](?), probable ancestor of [[List of rulers of Parthian sub-kingdoms|Arsacids]]
:[[Amestris (daughter of Artaxerxes II)|Amestris]], wife of Artaxerxes II
:[[Apama (daughter of Artaxerxes II)|Apama]], wife of [[Pharnabazus (5th century BC)|Pharnabazus]]
:[[Ocha (daughter of Artaxerxes II)|Ocha]], mother of an unnamed wife of [[Artaxerxes III]]
:The unnamed wife of [[Tissaphernes]]
:112 other unnamed sons

==See also==
*''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|The Anabasis]]''
*[[Ten Thousand (Greek)]]

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

== Sources ==
{{sfn whitelist|CITEREFBoyceChaumontBier1985}}
* {{cite book | last=Binder | year=2008 | first=Carsten | title=Plutarchs Vita des Artaxerxes | language=de | publisher=Walter de Gruyter | place=Berlin | isbn=978-3-11-020269-4 | doi=10.1515/9783110209945}}
* {{cite book | last1=Boyce | first1=Mary | author-link1=Mary Boyce | last2=Grenet | first2=Frantz | editor1-last=Beck | editor1-first=Roger | title=A History of Zoroastrianism, Zoroastrianism under Macedonian and Roman Rule | date=1991 | publisher=Brill | location=Leiden | isbn=978-90-04-29391-5}}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | article=Anāhīd | last1=Boyce | first1=Mary | first2=M. L. | last2=Chaumont | first3=C. | last3=Bier | article-url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/anahid | volume=1 | fascicle=9 | pages=1003–1011}}
* {{cite book | title=From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire | year=2002 | publisher=Eisenbrauns | last=Briant | first=Pierre | author-link=Pierre Briant | isbn=978-1-57506-031-6 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lxQ9W6F1oSYC}}
* {{cite book | last1=Brijder | first1=Herman | title=Nemrud Dağı: Recent Archaeological Research and Conservation Activities in the Tomb Sanctuary on Mount Nemrud | date=2014 | publisher=Walter de Gruyter | isbn=978-1-61451-713-9}}
* {{cite book | last=Brosius | first=Maria | year=2020 | title=A History of Ancient Persia: The Achaemenid Empire | publisher=Wiley-Blackwell | isbn=978-1-444-35092-0}}
* {{cite book | last1=Chahin | first1=M. | title=The Kingdom of Armenia: A History | date=2001 | publisher=Psychology Press | isbn=978-0-7007-1452-0 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OR_PHoKZ6ycC}}
* {{cite book | last1=Clark | first1=Jessica H. | last2=Turner | first2=Brian | title=Brill's Companion to Military Defeat in Ancient Mediterranean Society | date=2018 | publisher=Brill | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=gIRXDwAAQBAJ | isbn=978-90-04-29858-3}}
* {{Cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ms30qA6nyMsC | title=A Political History of the Achaemenid Empire | last=Dandamaev | first=Muhammad A. | publisher=Brill | year=1989 | translator-last=Vogelsang | translator-first=W. J. | isbn=978-90-04-09172-6}}
* {{Encyclopaedia Iranica Brill | last=Facella | first=Margherita | date=21 July 2021 | orig-date=11 June 2021 | article=Orontids | doi=10.1163/2330-4804_EIRO_COM_362451}}
* {{Cambridge History of Iran|volume=3a|last=Frye|first=R. N.|chapter=The political history of Iran under the Sasanians}}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica Online | date=<!--April 13,--> 2012 | orig-date=2004 | article=Armeno-Iranian relations in the pre-Islamic period | last=Garsoian | first=Nina | author-link=Nina Garsoïan| article-url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/armeno-iranian-relations-in-the-pre-islamic-period <!-- No printed version -->}}
* {{cite book | editor1-last=Gershevitch | editor1-first=Ilya | title=The Cambridge History of Iran, Volume 2: The Median and Achaemenian periods | date=1985 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | isbn=978-0-521-20091-2}}
* {{cite book | last=Grimal | first=Nicolas | author-link=Nicolas Grimal | year=1992 | title=A History of Ancient Egypt | location=Oxford | publisher=Blackwell Books | isbn=978-0-631-19396-8}}
* {{cite book | last1=Jacobs | first1=Bruno | last2=Rollinger | first2=Robert | title=A Companion to the Achaemenid Persian Empire | date=2021 | publisher=John Wiley & Sons | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=qZA7EAAAQBAJ | isbn=978-1-119-17428-8}}
* {{cite book | last=Kuhrt | first=A. | title=The Persian Empire: A Corpus of Sources from the Achaemenid Period | publisher=Routledge | year=2013 | isbn=978-1-136-01694-3}}
* {{cite book | last1=Lewis | first1=Sian | title=Ancient Tyranny | date=2006 | publisher=Edinburgh University Press | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=z8yqBgAAQBAJ | isbn=978-0-7486-2125-5}}
* {{cite book | last=Lloyd | first=Alan B. | year=1994 | chapter=Egypt, 404–332 B.C. | series=The Cambridge Ancient History | volume=VI | title=The Fourth Century B.C. | isbn=0-521-23348-8}}
* {{cite book | first=Lloyd | last=Llewellyn-Jones | editor1-last=Daryaee | editor1-first=Touraj | title=King of the Seven Climes: A History of the Ancient Iranian World (3000 BCE - 651 CE) | date=2017 | publisher=UCI Jordan Center for Persian Studies | chapter=The Achaemenid Empire | isbn=978-0-692-86440-1 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=unTjswEACAAJ}}
* {{cite book | title=King and Court in Ancient Persia 559 to 331 BCE | year=2013 | publisher=Edinburgh University Press | last=Llewellyn-Jones | first=Lloyd | isbn=978-0-7486-7711-5 | url=https://archive.org/details/KingCourtInAncientPersia}}
* {{cite book | last1=Marek | first1=Christian | title=In the Land of a Thousand Gods: A History of Asia Minor in the Ancient World | date=2016 | publisher=Princeton University Press | isbn=978-0-691-15979-9}}
* {{cite book | last=Olbrycht | first=Marek Jan | year=2021 | title=Early Arsakid Parthia (ca. 250-165 B.C.) | publisher=Brill | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OHkxEAAAQBAJ | isbn=978-90-04-46075-1}}
* {{cite journal | last=Osborne | first=Michael J. | year=1973 | title=Orontes | journal=Historia: Zeitschrift für Alte Geschichte | volume=22 | issue=4 | pages=515–551 | jstor=4435366 | issn=0018-2311}}
* {{cite journal | last=Osborne | first=Michael J. | year=1971 | title=Athens and Orontes | journal=Annual of the British School at Athens | volume=66 | pages=297–321 | jstor=30103238 | issn=2045-2403 | doi=10.1017/S0068245400019213 | s2cid=163834297}}
* {{cite journal | last=Podrazik | first=Michał | title=Rebellions against the Great King in the Achaemenid Empire: Some Remarks | journal=Anabasis | date=2017 | volume=8 | pages=277–291 | url=https://www.academia.edu/37605861 | url-access=registration}}
* {{cite book | last1=Russell | first1=James R. | author-link1=James R. Russell | title=Zoroastrianism in Armenia | date=1987 | publisher=Harvard University, Department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations and National Association for Armenian Studies and Research | isbn=978-0-674-96850-9}}
* {{cite book | title=Trouble in the West: Egypt and the Persian Empire, 525–332 BC | year=2012 | publisher=Oxford University Press | last=Ruzicka | first=Stephen | pages=1–311 | isbn=978-0-19-976662-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BKGb6mD_6icC}}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | volume=12 | fascicle=6 | article=Hydarnes| last=Schmitt | first=Rüdiger | article-url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/hydarnes | pages=588–590 }}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica Online | article=Orontes | last=Schmitt| first=Rüdiger | article-url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/orontes <!-- No printed version --> | year=2002 }}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | volume=6 | fascicle=5 | article=Cyrus vi. Cyrus the Younger | last=Schmitt | first=Rüdiger | article-url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/cyrus-vi-younger | pages=524–526 }}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | article=Artaxerxes | last=Schmitt | first=R. | article-url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/artaxerxes-throne-name-of-several-persian-kings-of-the-achaemenid-dynasty | volume=2 | fascicle=6 | pages=654–655 | year=1986a }}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | article=Artaxerxes II | last=Schmitt | first=R. | article-url=https://iranicaonline.org/articles/artaxerxes-ii-achaemenid-king | volume=2 | fascicle=6 | pages=656–658| year=1986b }}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | article=Artaxerxes III | last=Schmitt | first=R. | article-url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/artaxerxes-iii-throne-name-of-ochus-gk | volume=2 | fascicle=6 | pages=658–659 | year=1986c }}
* {{cite book | last=Shayegan | first=M. Rahim | editor-last1=Curtis | editor-first1=Vesta Sarkhosh | editor-last2=Pendleton | editor-first2=Elizabeth J. | editor-last3=Alram | editor-first3=Michael | editor-last4=Daryaee | editor-first4=Touraj | title=The Parthian and Early Sasanian Empires: Adaptation and Expansion | date=2016 | publisher=Oxbow Books | isbn=978-1-78570-208-2 | chapter=The Arsacids and Commagene}}
* {{cite book | last=Stylianou | first=P.J. | title=A Historical Commentary on Diodorus Siculus, Book 15 | publisher=Oxford University Press | year=1998 | isbn=978-0-19-815239-2 | chapter=Commentary}}
* {{cite journal | url=https://www.e-periodica.ch/cntmng?pid=snr-003:1981:60::136 | last=Troxell | first=Hyla A. | year=1981 | title=Orontes, Satrap of Mysia | journal=Schweizerische Numismatische Rundschau | volume=60 | pages=27–41 | issn=0035-4163}}
* {{cite book | last1=Waters | first1=Matt | title=Ctesias' Persica in Its Near Eastern Context | date=2017 | publisher=University of Wisconsin Pres | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ifEZDgAAQBAJ | isbn=978-0-299-31090-5}}
* {{cite book | title=Ancient Persia: A Concise History of the Achaemenid Empire, 550–330 BCE | year=2014 | publisher=Cambridge University Press | last=Waters | first=Matt | isbn=978-0-521-25369-7 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=__xGAgAAQBAJ&q=false}}
* {{Encyclopædia Iranica | article=Ardašīr I: History | last=Wiesehöfer | first=Joseph | article-url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/ardasir-i | volume=2 | fascicle=4 | pages=371–376}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-hou|[[Achaemenid dynasty]]||{{circa|436 BC}}||{{circa|358 BC}}}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Darius II of Persia|Darius II]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[List of kings of Persia|King of Kings of Persia]]|years=404–359/8 BC}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Artaxerxes III of Persia|Artaxerxes III]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{Median and Achaemenid kings}}
{{Achaemenid rulers}}
{{Babylonian kings}}
{{Plutarch}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Artaxerxes II| ]]
[[Category:5th-century BC Kings of the Achaemenid Empire]]
[[Category:4th-century BC Kings of the Achaemenid Empire]]
[[Category:5th-century BC births]]
[[Category:350s BC deaths]]
[[Category:Year of birth uncertain]]
[[Category:Year of death uncertain]]
[[Category:Kings of the Achaemenid Empire]]
[[Category:Anabasis (Xenophon)]]
[[Category:Babylonian captivity]]
[[Category:People of the Corinthian War]]