The reign of Artaxerxes

• Artaxerxes

• Start — no reference given. The year Artaxerxes's reign began is the year his father's, Ahasuerus' (Xerxes'), reign reign ended = 3497
• End — no reference given. The year Artaxerxes's reign ended is the year his reign began (3497) + the length of his reign (41) = 3538

START:*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES: - Babylonian contract tablets dated to “Year 21 of Xerxes” appear until mid-465 BCE (around August), after which tablets dated to “Year 1 of Artaxerxes” begin, indicating Xerxes’ death in the summer of 465 BCE. Some tablets note a brief period of instability, possibly due to the assassination. - Ptolemy’s Canon lists Xerxes I’s reign as 21 years, ending in 465 BCE, with Artaxerxes I succeeding him. - In his Library of History (Book 11.69), Diodorus provides a later account of Xerxes’ assassination, attributing it to Artabanus, who briefly usurped power before Artaxerxes I’s rise. - The Persepolis Fortification and Treasury Tablets are administrative records continue under Xerxes until his death until mid-465 BCE, after which Artaxerxes I’s tablets begin. This transition supports Xerxes’ death in 465 BCE. [Shulman date p149] END:*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES: - Babylonian contract tablets dated to “Year 41 of Artaxerxes” appear until late 424 BCE (around December), after which a brief period of tablets dated to “Year 1 of Xerxes II” (Artaxerxes I’s son) and “Sogdianus” (a rival) emerges, followed by “Year 1 of Darius II” in early 423 BCE. This indicates Artaxerxes I’s death in late 424 BCE, with a short succession crisis. - Ptolemy’s Canon lists Artaxerxes I’s reign as 41 years, ending in 424 BCE, with Darius II succeeding him. - In his Persica, Ctesias describes Artaxerxes I’s death and the subsequent succession struggle involving Xerxes II, Sogdianus, and Darius II (Ochus). - In his Library of History (Book 12.71), Diodorus recounts Artaxerxes I’s death and the brief reigns of Xerxes II and Sogdianus before Darius II’s accession. - The Elephantine Papyri continue to use Artaxerxes I’s regnal years until his death. - Persepolis Treasury Tablets dated to Artaxerxes I’s reign continue until late 424 BCE, with a transition to Darius II’s records in 423 BCE, supporting Artaxerxes’ death in 424 BCE.

Years are anno hominis — counted from Creation as year 1 — which is the frame the source computes in. The arithmetic behind each boundary is given above rather than assumed.