Persepolis+Kings

=Ancient Society - Persepolis =

 - The City - The Kings - The Greeks - The Burning -

Persepolis: The Kings

 * Achaemenids ruled Persia c.550 – 330 BC
 * First excavations in 1932 by Ernst Herzfeld (German) for Oriental Institute of University of Chicago.
 * Founded in c.515 BC by Darius
 * All Achaemenid kings from Darius buried there or nearby at Naqsh-I Rustam
 * The Persian kings had palaces at Susa, Pasargadae, Ecbatana and Persepolis.
 * Destroyed by Alexander the Great


 * Darius I** – a distant relative of Cambyses. He usurped the throne, having killed the pretender to the throne. Gaumata, a magus, claimed to be the son of Cambyses, Bardiya. According to Herodotus, he was revealed as an imposter and killed.

Darius legitimised his rule by claiming descent from Achaemenes, perhaps a fictional ancestor.
 * Ionian Revolt – 499 BC[[image:Darius_the_Great.jpg width="321" height="593" align="right" caption="Darius I or Xerxes I (relief from Persepolis)"]]
 * Battle of Marathon – 490 BC

Son of Darius by Queen Atossa, daughter of Cyrus. Not the oldest son, but the first born after Xerxes became king – also descended from Cyrus through his mother. Invasion of Greece (480-79 BC): Murdered by a palace guard. It is not known why.
 * Xerxes I**
 * Thermopylae
 * Artemisium
 * Destruction of Athens
 * Salamis
 * Plataea

Son of Xerxes. An elder brother, Darius, and another brother, Hystaspes, were murdered before he came to the throne. He ruled for 40 years and died a natural death – unusual for Achaemenids.
 * Artaxerxes I**

Killed after 45 days by Secydianus, his half-brother. Secydianus was overthrown by another brother after six months and put to death.
 * Xerxes II**

Son of Artaxerxes I and brother of Xerxes II. Died a natural death.
 * Darius II**

His life is recorded by Plutarch. When he came to the throne he was challenged by his younger brother, Cyrus. Cyrus was killed in battle.
 * Artaxerxes II**

Son of Artaxerxes II. Killed two full brothers and other relatives before coming to the throne. Had a reputation for cruelty. He was poisoned by a eunuch, Bagoas.
 * Artaxerxes III**

Son of Artaxerxes III After two years was poisoned, and all his close relatives were murdered.
 * Arses**

A distant relation of Arses. With his defeat by Alexander the Great, the Persian Empire came to an end.
 * Darius III**