Artaxerxes, Or Artoxerxes (In The Hebrew Scriptures Artahshashta Or Artahshasta), the name of three kings of ancient Persia, signifying, according to Herodotus, "great warrior." I. Surnamed Longimanus, was the third son of Xerxes I., and was brought to the Persian throne by the assassination of his father and elder brother Darius (see Artabanus) in 465 B. C, and died in 425. Troubles in Bactria, excited by his elder brother Hystaspes, first engaged his attention. Meanwhile Egypt, aided by the Athenians, revolted under Inarus against the Persian yoke. Artaxerxes at length compelled the Athenians to evacuate Egypt, but they continued to struggle on their own account under Cimon, until on the death of the latter (449), Artaxerxes was forced to make a disadvantageous peace. He was succeeded by his son Xerxes II.

II. Surnamed Mnemon on account of his good memory, succeeded his father Darius II. in 405 or 404 B. C, died about 359. He is chiefly known in history from his contest with his younger brother Cyrus (see Cyrus the younger, after whose bloody end in the battle of Cunaxa (401) he was left in quiet possession of the Persian throne. The Lacedaemonians had meanwhile given evidence of a design to take advantage of the Persian complications to attack the empire in the moment of its weakness; and now that the critical time was over, Artaxerxes avenged himself by a successful war against them, which hastened the decline of the Spartan power. Sparta having consented to the humiliating peace of Antalcidas (387), Artaxerxes prosecuted a war against Evagoras of Cyprus, and subsequently against the Cadusii on the shores of the Caspian sea, rendering them tributary; he then turned his forces against revolted Egypt, but failed through the unskilful management of his general, Pharnabazus, and 12 years later renewed the attempt with the same result.

He put to death his eldest son, having detected him in a conspiracy, and was succeeded by his third son Ochus. HI. Ochus, on his accession, assumed the name of Artaxerxes. The principal events of his reign (about 359-338), which was stained by cruelty, were the quelling of a revolt raised by Artabazus, the resubjugation of Egypt, and the pacification of Phoenicia and Cyprus. He was poisoned by his favored eunuch Bagoas. - Besides these, Ardeshir, the founder of the Sassanide dynasty, is called by ancient historians Artaxerxes.