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Artaxerxes
II
404-358 B.C.
Son and
successor of Darius II. He is sometimes called in Greek Artaxerxes Mnemon [the
thoughtful]. Early in his reign Cyrus the Younger attempted to assassinate him
and seize the throne. Artaxerxes finally crushed Cyrus' rebellion at the battle
of Cunaxa (401 B.C.), where Cyrus was killed. The story of the Greek contingent
in the battle was made famous by Xenophon. Artaxerxes was ruled by the will of
his wife and mother and relied heavily upon his officials; in addition, the
satraps Pharnabazus and Tissaphernes had real ruling power. They managed by
liberal distribution of Persian gold to gain great influence in Greece, and the
Peace of Antalcidas marked the imposition of Persian control of the Greek
city-states. The provinces of the empire eventually became restless. Evagoras
made himself independent as a ruler of Cyprus but finally submitted to the king.
Pharnabazus and Iphicrates, sent to reduce Egypt, disagreed and accomplished
nothing. A formidable and long-lasting revolt of the satraps against the king
was put down just before his death. He was eventually succeeded by Artaxerxes
III. The reign of Artaxerxes II also saw a revival of the cult of Mithra.
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Senior Project : 2001-2002 The Great Persian Empire Website
