Artaxerxes I of Persia

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Artaxerxes I of Persia
Biographical information
Species	Human
Political information
Affiliations	Achaemenid Empire

Artaxerxes I of Persia, known simply as Artaxerxes during his exile, was King of the Achaemenid Empire and Pharaoh of Egypt during the 5th century BCE. The son of Xerxes I, he succeeded his father after his assassination in 465 BCE by Darius.

Biography

Artaxerxes' father and grandfather were close allies of the Order of the Ancients, a powerful organization who aided in their conquests and expansions. After Xerxes I was assassinated in 465 BCE, Artaxerxes ascended the throne as King. Xerxes' assassin, Artabanus, fearing Artaxerxes would also be manipulated by the Order, plotted his preemptive assassination. The attempt was halted, however, by Artabanus' close friend and Persian elite, Amorges, who had joined the Order and called for the guards. As a result, Artaxerxes' life was spared, and Artabanus was forced to flee.

Early in his reign as a child king, Artaxerxes befriended Themistokles, a former Athenian general who had been ostracized and fled to Persia, early in his reign. Themistokles tutored the young king and told him many stories of the wonders of Greece; before Themistokles' death, Artaxerxes promised his tutor that he would see each of the great landmarks he had been told about.

Artaxerxes' brother later plotted to overthrow him, and hired Artabanus, who had by now adopted the name "Darius", to once again assassinate Artaxerxes. On this occasion, Darius was more successful and, though Artaxerxes managed to escape, he did lose his sight to Darius' poison in the process. Faking his death and fleeing Persia, Artaxerxes traveled to Greece where he sought refuge in the city of Megara, Megaris.

Sometime in or before 422 BCE, Artaxerxes made the acquaintance of Kassandra, a Spartan misthios who, unbeknownst to him at the time, was also the granddaughter of King Leonidas. Artaxerxes reminisced to Kassandra about the stories Themistokles told of his homeland and how he wished to see the landmarks his tutor and friend has described. Kassandra agreed to visit each of the landmarks and retell her experiences to Artaxerxes. Once her quest was complete, Artaxerxes thanked and rewarded her.

Trivia

• Historically, Artaxerxes I died in 424 BCE in the city of Susa.

Gallery

Close up view of Artaxerxes

Artaxerxes praying and begging outside the temple in Megara

Appearances

• Assassin's Creed: Odyssey (first appearance)
  • Legacy of the First Blade: Hunted (mentioned only)