Latest / The Achaemenid Empire: Persia's Golden Age of Power — Fexingo History
Artaxerxes II and the War of Brothers
In 401 BC, the Persian Empire faced an internal crisis that nearly tore it apart. Artaxerxes II, the Great King, found himself opposed by his younger brother Cyrus the Younger, who marched a massive army—including the famous Ten Thousand Greek mercenaries—toward the capital at Susa. This episode explores the Battle of Cunaxa, the decisive clash where Cyrus died but the imperial core held firm. We examine how Artaxerxes managed the political fallout, the betrayal of Greek generals like Memnon and Proxenus, and the perilous retreat led by Cleon. By focusing on this civil war, we see the…
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