Origins & Early Life

Artaxerxes I was the fifth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia, from August 465 to December 424 BC. He was the third son of Xerxes I. In Greek sources he is also surnamed "Long-handed" (Ancient Greek: μακρόχειρ Makrókheir; Latin: Longimanus), allegedly because his right hand was longer than his left. Josephus and several ancient traditions identify him as King Ahasuerus, from the Book of Esther.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Artaxerxes was probably born in the reign of his grandfather Darius I, to the emperor's son and heir, Xerxes I. In 465 BC, Xerxes I was murdered by Hazarapat ("commander of thousand") Artabanus, the commander of the royal bodyguard and the most powerful official in the Persian court, with the help of a eunuch, Aspamitres. Greek historians give contradicting accounts of events. According to Ctesias (in Persica 20), Artabanus then accused Crown Prince Darius, Xerxes's eldest son, of the murder, and persuaded Artaxerxes to avenge the patricide by killing Darius. But according to Aristotle (in Politics 5.1311b), Artabanus killed Darius first and then killed Xerxes.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

After Artaxerxes discovered the murder, he killed Artabanus and his sons.

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