Artabazus

Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)

the name of several distinguished Persians under the dynasty of the Achæmenidæ. When Xerxes advanced against Greece, an Artabazus led the Parthians and Chorasmians. Another Artabazus was general under the Persian king, Artaxerxes II., and afterward revolted against Artaxerxes III. For this offense he was forgiven, through the exertions of his brother-in-law, Mentor, a staunch supporter next king, Darius, whom we subsequently find Artabazus faithfully attending after the battle of Arbela. ARTAVASDES (-vas'dēs) I., a King of Armenia, who succeeded his father Tigranes. He joined the Roman forces commanded by Crassus, but deserted to the enemy, causing the defeat of the Romans, and the death of Crassus. He similarly betrayed Mark Antony when engaged against the Medes; but afterward falling into Antony's power, Artavasdes was taken with his wife and children to Alexandria, where they were dragged at the victor's chariot-wheels in golden chains. After the battle of Actium, Cleopatra caused his head to be struck off and sent to the King of Media. Reigned in the 1st century B. C. ARTAXERXES (-zerks'ēz) I., surnamed Longimanus, was the third son of Xerxes, King of Persia, and, having murdered his brother Darius, ascended the throne 465 b. c. He died in 424 B. C. and was succeeded by his only son, Xerxes. This prince is generally supposed to have been the Ahasuerus of Scripture. ARTAXERXES II., surnamed Mnemon, was the eldest son of Darius Nothus, and began his reign 405 B. C. His brother Cyrus formed a conspiracy against him, for which he was sentenced to death; but at the intercession of his mother, Parysatis, the sentence was commuted to banishment to Asia Minor. Cyrus repaid this act of clemency by mustering a large army of Asiatics, and some Greek troops under Clearchus, with whom he marched to Babylon; but, being encountered by Artaxerxes, he was defeated and slain. Artaxerxes died at the age of 94, after reigning 46 years. ARTAXERXES III., succeeded Artaxerxes II., his father, 359 b. c. TO pave his way to the succession, he murdered two of his brothers, and afterward put to death all the remaining branches of the family. He suppressed several insurrections, and in Egypt slew the sacred bull Apis, and gave the flesh to his soldiers. For this, his eunuch, Bagoas, an Egyptian, caused him to be poisoned in 339 b. c.