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Sogdianus (/ˌsɔːɡdiˈeɪnəs/ or /ˌsɒɡdiˈeɪnəs/; Greek: ΣογδιανόςSogdianos) was briefly a ruler of the Achaemenid Empire for a period in 424–423 BC. His short rule—lasting not much more than six months—and the little recognition of his kingdom are known primarily from the writings of Ctesias; who is known to be unreliable. He was reportedly an illegitimate son of Artaxerxes I by his concubine Alogyne of Babylon.
The last inscription mentioning Artaxerxes I being alive can be dated to December 24, 424 BC. His death resulted in at least three of his sons proclaiming themselves King of Kings. The first was Xerxes II, who was reportedly his only legitimate son by QueenDamaspia and was formerly the heir. Xerxes II's rule was apparently only recognized in the Persian heartlands. The second was Sogdianus himself, presumed to have initially been recognized only in Elam. The third was Ochus, son of Artaxerxes I by his concubine Cosmartidene of Babylon and satrap of Hyrcania. Ochus was also married to their common half-sister Parysatis, daughter of Artaxerxes I and his concubine Andia of Babylon. The first inscription of Ochus as Darius II can be dated to January 10, 423 BC. He seems to have been recognized by Medes, Babylonia and Egypt. If it is correct that all three declared themselves king at the same time, then the Achaemenid Empire had three King of Kings for a brief period.[1][2]
Rise and fallEdit
This chaotic state of affairs would prove short-lived. Xerxes II only ruled for forty-five days. He was reportedly murdered while drunk by the eunuch Pharnacyas and Menostanes, conspirators who sided with Sogdianus, on his orders. According to Ctesias, Pharnacyas had the greatest influence over the Xerxes II, next to Bagorazus and Menostanes.[3]
Sogdianus apparently gained the support of his regions and reigned for six months and fifteen days before being captured by his half-brother, Ochus, who had rebelled against him feeling dishonoured he was passed up over Sogdianus for the throne—since he outranked the latter.
Sogdianus was executed by being suffocated in ash per Ochus' promise he would not die by the sword, by poison or by hunger. Pharnacyas was condemned to be stoned to death.[4] "Menostanes was also arrested and condemned, but anticipated his fate by suicide.".[5]
Ochus then ascended to the Achaemenid throne as Darius II; he was the sole ruler of the Persian Empire until 404 BC.[2]
Briant, Pierre, From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire (2002). Translated by Peter T. Daniels. Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns. ISBN 1-57506-031-0.
sogdianus, this, article, relies, largely, entirely, single, source, relevant, discussion, found, talk, page, please, help, improve, this, article, introducing, citations, additional, sources, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, april, 2017. This article relies largely or entirely on a single source Relevant discussion may be found on the talk page Please help improve this article by introducing citations to additional sources Find sources Sogdianus news newspapers books scholar JSTOR April 2017 Sogdianus ˌ s ɔː ɡ d i ˈ eɪ n e s or ˌ s ɒ ɡ d i ˈ eɪ n e s Greek Sogdianos Sogdianos was briefly a ruler of the Achaemenid Empire for a period in 424 423 BC His short rule lasting not much more than six months and the little recognition of his kingdom are known primarily from the writings of Ctesias who is known to be unreliable He was reportedly an illegitimate son of Artaxerxes I by his concubine Alogyne of Babylon SogdianusAchaemenid Daric possibly under SogdianusKing of Kings of the Achaemenid EmpireReign424 BC 423 BCPredecessorXerxes IISuccessorDarius IIDiedPersepolis PersiaDynastyAchaemenidFatherArtaxerxes IMotherAlogyne of BabylonReligionZoroastrianism Contents 1 Background 1 1 Death of Artaxerxes I 1 2 Rise and fall 2 Name 3 References 4 SourcesBackground EditDeath of Artaxerxes I Edit The last inscription mentioning Artaxerxes I being alive can be dated to December 24 424 BC His death resulted in at least three of his sons proclaiming themselves King of Kings The first was Xerxes II who was reportedly his only legitimate son by Queen Damaspia and was formerly the heir Xerxes II s rule was apparently only recognized in the Persian heartlands The second was Sogdianus himself presumed to have initially been recognized only in Elam The third was Ochus son of Artaxerxes I by his concubine Cosmartidene of Babylon and satrap of Hyrcania Ochus was also married to their common half sister Parysatis daughter of Artaxerxes I and his concubine Andia of Babylon The first inscription of Ochus as Darius II can be dated to January 10 423 BC He seems to have been recognized by Medes Babylonia and Egypt If it is correct that all three declared themselves king at the same time then the Achaemenid Empire had three King of Kings for a brief period 1 2 Rise and fall Edit This chaotic state of affairs would prove short lived Xerxes II only ruled for forty five days He was reportedly murdered while drunk by the eunuch Pharnacyas and Menostanes conspirators who sided with Sogdianus on his orders According to Ctesias Pharnacyas had the greatest influence over the Xerxes II next to Bagorazus and Menostanes 3 Sogdianus apparently gained the support of his regions and reigned for six months and fifteen days before being captured by his half brother Ochus who had rebelled against him feeling dishonoured he was passed up over Sogdianus for the throne since he outranked the latter Sogdianus was executed by being suffocated in ash per Ochus promise he would not die by the sword by poison or by hunger Pharnacyas was condemned to be stoned to death 4 Menostanes was also arrested and condemned but anticipated his fate by suicide 5 Ochus then ascended to the Achaemenid throne as Darius II he was the sole ruler of the Persian Empire until 404 BC 2 Name EditHe is called Sogdianos by Manetho and Diodorus Siculus and Sekyndianos by Ctesias 6 References Edit Ctesias the Cnidian Persica 18 a b Zawadzki S 1995 1996 The Circumstances of Darius II s Accession Jaarbericht Ex Oriente Lux 34 45 49 Ctesias the Cnidian Persica 48 Ctesias the Cnidian Persica 52 Ctesias the Cnidian Persica 52 Felix Jacoby FGrH 3C1 pp 50 468Sources EditCtesias 48 52 1 Briant Pierre From Cyrus to Alexander A History of the Persian Empire 2002 Translated by Peter T Daniels Winona Lake Indiana Eisenbrauns ISBN 1 57506 031 0 Lendering J Xerxes II and Sogdianus 2 Preceded byXerxes II King of Kings of Persia424 423 BC Succeeded byDarius II Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sogdianus amp oldid 1176933558, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
