Artaxerxes
Artaxerxes is a name that belongs to several Persian kings who ruled the Achaemenid Empire in ancient Persia. The most notable of these kings were Artaxerxes I, Artaxerxes II, and Artaxerxes III, who played significant roles in Persian history and were known for their reigns during the 5th and 4th centuries BCE. Here's a brief description of the Achaemenid kings named Artaxerxes:
Artaxerxes I (reigned 465–424 BCE):
Artaxerxes I was the third king of the Achaemenid Empire. He succeeded his father Xerxes I and was known for his role in events such as the Greco-Persian Wars. Artaxerxes I played a part in the peace negotiations between the Persians and the Greek city-states following the wars, notably through the King's Peace of 387 BCE. This treaty recognized the autonomy of several Greek city-states.
Artaxerxes II (reigned 404–358 BCE):
Artaxerxes II was the eldest son of Artaxerxes I and ruled for a substantial period. His reign was marked by conflicts and power struggles both within the empire and with external forces, including the conquests of Alexander the Great.
Artaxerxes III (reigned 358–338 BCE):
Artaxerxes III, also known as Ochus, came to power through a series of assassinations and purges in the royal court. His reign saw efforts to stabilize the empire after internal strife. He is also known for his campaigns against Egypt, where he managed to regain control of the region.
These Artaxerxes kings were part of the Achaemenid dynasty and ruled one of the most powerful empires of the ancient world. They played significant roles in shaping the empire's interactions with neighboring civilizations, including Greece, and in preserving and expanding the territorial expanse of the Persian realm.