The Middle East: 465–454 BCE

Intrigue and Rebellion in the Persian Empire

Following the military setbacks in the Greek campaign, Xerxes I retreats to his palatial comforts, immersing himself in lavish architectural projects, notably at Persepolis. His reign, however, ends abruptly in 465 BCE when he is assassinated by Artabanus, his chief minister. This conspiracy also results in the murder of Xerxes’ elder son, Darius, leaving the throne to his younger son, who ascends as Artaxerxes I.

Known to the Greeks as Macrocheir ("Longhand"), Artaxerxes I establishes himself at Susa, the administrative heart of his vast empire. His early reign is fraught with palace intrigue and immediate challenges to his authority. Rebellions flare up in distant provinces, particularly in Bactria and Egypt, regions vital to the empire’s economic and strategic stability.

Suppressing these revolts demands significant military engagement, highlighting ongoing tensions between the Persian center and its peripheral territories. Despite these challenges, Artaxerxes manages to reassert Persian dominance, though at considerable cost, setting the stage for a period of uneasy stability marked by cautious governance and persistent regional discontent.