11 Questions
Who succeeded Persian King Artaxerxes I after his death?
Xerxes II
What was the result of the seven-year guerrilla campaign in Egypt?
The Persians maintained control over Egypt
Who formed an alliance with Sparta against Athens during Darius's rule?
Ionia
How did Cyrus the Younger claim the throne after the death of Xerxes II?
By being born after their father and mother took the throne
What happened to Cyrus the Younger during the battle against Xerxes III?
He was accidentally killed by a Persian soldier named Mithradates
Who was treated as a hero by Artaxerxes II after killing Cyrus the Younger?
Mithradates
How did Mithradates meet his end?
He was executed in a gruesome way by Artaxerxes II
What strategy did Artaxerxes II adopt towards the Greeks?
He chose to subsidize their enemies and support Sparta
Who founded the Persian Empire?
Cyrus the Great
What was Darius known as to the Greeks?
Darius the Bastard
Which of Xerxes II's brothers contested his ascension to the throne?
Darius and Xerxes III
Study Notes
- In 424 BCE, the Persian Empire, founded by Cyrus the Great, reached its peak, stretching into three continents with a population of over 100 million.
- Persian King Artaxerxes I died, leaving his son Xerxes II as the new king, but his ascension was contested by two of his illegitimate brothers, Darius and Xerxes.
- Darius II ruled for just over six months before being assassinated by his brother Ochos in 424 BCE. He was known as Darius the Bastard by the Greeks.
- During his reign, Egypt revolted against Persian rule in 411, leading to a seven-year guerrilla campaign.
- The Persians reclaimed tracts of Ionia during Darius's rule, forming an alliance with Sparta against Athens.
- After Darius's death, his son Xerxes II was succeeded by his half-brother Xerxes III, who was soon killed in a battle with his half-brother Cyrus the Younger.
- Cyrus the Younger claimed the throne based on being born after their father and mother took the throne.
- Cyrus's army won the battle against Xerxes III but Cyrus himself was accidentally killed by a Persian soldier named Mithradates.
- Mithradates was treated as a hero by Artaxerxes II and given riches on the condition that he maintained that Artaxerxes II had killed Cyrus.
- Mithradates later boasted of his role in the killing at a party, leading to his execution in a gruesome way by Artaxerxes II.
- Artaxerxes II avoided direct wars with the Greeks, instead choosing to subsidize their enemies and support Sparta.
- Artaxerxes II dealt with internal threats, including a rebellion in the Caduceus region, by using political maneuvers rather than spilling Persian blood.
- Artaxerxes II attempted to regain control of Egypt but failed, leading to the Great Satraps Revolt in Asia Minor.
- Artaxerxes III succeeded his father as the last significant ruler of the Persian Empire, but a storm was brewing in the form of Macedon, which would threaten the foundation of the Persian Empire.
Test your knowledge of the rise and fall of the Persian Empire, including the reigns of Artaxerxes I, Darius II, Xerxes II, Cyrus the Younger, and Artaxerxes II. Explore the internal and external conflicts, alliances with Sparta and wars with Greece, as well as the Great Satraps Revolt and the looming threat from Macedon.
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