Artaxerxes II

Artaxerxes II
Bruce Allardice · CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
Name	Artaxerxes II
Title	King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire
Reign	404–358 BC
Predecessor	Darius II
Successor	Artaxerxes III
Birth date	c. 436 or 435 BC
Death date	358 BC
Dynasty	Achaemenid
Father	Darius II
Mother	Parysatis
Burial place	Naqsh-e Rustam

Artaxerxes II. Artaxerxes II, also known as Artaxerxes Mnemon, was a monarch of the Achaemenid Empire whose long reign from 404 to 358 BC encompassed a critical period for Ancient Babylon. His rule was defined by internal dynastic strife, complex diplomatic and military engagements with the Greek city-states, and significant religious developments that left a lasting imprint on the empire's core territories, including the culturally vital province of Babylonia.

Early Life and Accession

Born around 436 BC, Artaxerxes II was the son of Darius II and the influential queen Parysatis. His upbringing in the imperial court at Susa and Persepolis prepared him for rulership within the complex political hierarchy of the empire. His accession in 404 BC was immediately challenged by his younger brother, Cyrus the Younger, who had been satrap of Lydia and possessed powerful support, including from Greek mercenaries. The ensuing conflict, culminating at the Battle of Cunaxa, would define the early years of his reign and test the stability of imperial control over wealthy provinces like Babylonia.

Reign and the Babylonian Context

Artaxerxes II's reign over Babylon occurred during a time when the region remained an economic and cultural linchpin of the empire. The province, governed by a satrap, was crucial for imperial revenue and agricultural output. While the empire faced revolts in other regions, such as in Egypt under Amyrtaeus, Babylonia itself remained relatively stable under Achaemenid administration. This stability allowed Babylon to continue as a major center of learning, commerce, and the ancient Akkadian language, though the king's primary residences were in Persia proper. His ability to maintain control over this core territory was fundamental to the empire's endurance.

Conflict with Cyrus the Younger

The most direct threat to Artaxerxes II's rule came from his brother, Cyrus the Younger. In 401 BC, Cyrus assembled a large army, including a famous contingent of ten thousand Greek mercenaries, and marched from Sardis towards Babylon to seize the throne. The armies met at the Battle of Cunaxa, north of Babylon. Artaxerxes' forces were victorious, and Cyrus was killed. The subsequent epic retreat of the Greek mercenaries, narrated by the soldier-historian Xenophon in his Anabasis, exposed vulnerabilities in Persian military control. The conflict's resolution, however, solidified Artaxerxes' hold on power and reaffirmed Achaemenid authority in Mesopotamia.

Relations with Greek City-States

Artaxerxes II's reign was deeply entangled with the politics of the Greek city-states, following the Peloponnesian War. He skillfully employed Persian gold to influence Greek affairs, promoting conflict among them to weaken potential threats to his western satrapies. This policy is exemplified by the Corinthian War (395–387 BC), where his support for a coalition against Sparta eventually led to the King's Peace (or Peace of Antalcidas) in 387 BC. This treaty, brokered by the Spartan Antalcidas, declared the Greek cities of Asia Minor and Cyprus to be under the Persian King's dominion, formally extending Achaemenid influence and securing the empire's western flank near Babylon's sphere.

Religious Policies and Zoroastrianism

Artaxerxes II is noted for his pronounced promotion of Zoroastrianism and the cult of Anahita, the goddess of waters and fertility. His inscriptions, such as those at Susa, invoke the protection of the supreme god Ahura Mazda alongside Mithra and Anahita, marking a shift towards a more public, syncretic royal theology. This policy had significant implications for Babylon, a center of the ancient Mesopotamian religion dedicated to gods like Marduk. While the Achaemenids generally tolerated local cults, Artaxerxes' active endorsement of Persian deities represented a subtle form of cultural imperialism, aiming to strengthen ideological unity across the diverse empire from its Mesopotamian heartland to its Persian core.

Building Projects and Legacy in Babylon

Though major construction under Artaxerxes II was focused in Persia, notably at Persepolis and Susa, his reign also saw activity in Babylon. He is credited with the restoration and maintenance of important Babylonian temples, continuing the Achaemenid policy of supporting local institutions to ensure stability. This patronage helped maintain the city's status. His most enduring legacy in the region, however, may be administrative and symbolic. By surviving civil war and reasserting control, he preserved the territorial integrity of the empire that included Babylon for another half-century, delaying its eventual conquest by Alexander the Great.

Death and Succession

Artaxerxes II died of natural causes in 358 BC after a remarkably long reign of 46 years. His death led to a period of palace intrigue and violence, as was common in Achaemenid successions. He was succeeded by his son, Artaxerxes III, who immediately moved to consolidate power by eliminating potential rival family members. Artaxerxes II was interred in a rock-cut tomb at Naqsh-e Rustam, the traditional necropolis for Achaemenid kings. His passing marked the end of an era of relative resilience for the empire, as subsequent rulers would face increasing internal decay and the rising external threat from Macedon.