Editing Artaxerxes II (section)

== Background and early life ==
Arses was the eldest son of [[Darius II]], who ruled the Persian [[Achaemenid Empire]] from 424 to 405/4 BC. His mother was [[Parysatis]], a half-sister of Darius II.{{sfn|Llewellyn-Jones|2017|p=76}} His age at death is variously given as 86 ([[Lucian]]) and 94 ([[Dinon]]) years, which would place his birth around 453 or 445 BC.{{sfn|Binder|2008|pp=85, 109, 355}} Briant simply notes that Arses was born before his father's accession in 424,{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}} while another author states that he was "at least in his late seventies in the early 360s".<ref>Stephen Ruzicka, ''Trouble in the West: Egypt and the Persian Empire, 525–332 BC'' (Oxford University Press, 2012), p. 263, n. 16</ref> Darius II and Parysatis had thirteen children, most of whom died prematurely. Thus the only known full siblings of Arsaces were his younger brothers Cyrus, [[Ostanes (son of Darius II)|Ostanes]], Oxathres, and an older sister, Amestris.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}}

With the exception of Arsaces and Cyrus, not much is known about the children of Darius II and Parysatis. Cyrus was most likely born in 424/423 BC, just after the accession of Darius II.{{sfn|Podrazik|2017|p=278}} In 408 BC, at the age of 15 or 16, Cyrus was appointed the satrap of [[Lydia]], [[Greater Phrygia]], and [[Cappadocia]]. He also succeeded [[Tissaphernes]] as the commander-in-chief of the Persian force stationed at [[Castolus (Lydia)|Castolus]], east of the city of [[Sardis]].{{sfn|Schmitt|1993|pp=524–526}} Cyrus was given the title of ''karanos'' ([[Old Iranian]]: ''*Karana''), which greatly expanded his authority both politically and militarily, and allowed him to become largely autonomous.{{sfn|Podrazik|2017|p=278}}

Before his accession, Arsaces married [[Stateira (wife of Artaxerxes II)|Stateira]], the daughter of the Persian nobleman [[Hydarnes (father of Stateira)|Hydarnes]], who was descended from [[Hydarnes]], one of the seven Persian conspirators who overthrew the [[Bardiya|Pseudo-Smerdis]].{{sfn|Schmitt|2004|pp=588–590}} The marriage was part of a political alliance that Darius had sought during his early reign, due to facing opposition against his rule. Amestris was also married to Hydarnes' son [[Terituchmes]], while Hydarnes was appointed the satrap of [[Hyrcania]].{{sfn|Waters|2017|p=101}}{{sfn|Lewis|2006|p=225}}

When Darius II was on his deathbed, Arsaces was by his side. According to Xenophon, Darius II summoned Cyrus, who arrived with Tissaphernes and 300 Greek [[hoplite]]s.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}}{{sfn|Kuhrt|2013|p=353}} Plutarch, however, reports that it was Parysatis who summoned Cyrus, as she favoured him over Arsaces. He further adds that she attempted to convince Darius II to choose Cyrus as his heir, as the position was still vacant.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}} Modern historians question Plutarch's account, and state that Arsaces must have already been chosen as heir previously, probably several years earlier.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=615}}{{sfn|Waters|2014|p=177}}

During the coronation of Arsaces at the southern capital of [[Pasargadae]], Cyrus allegedly attempted to have his brother assassinated. The plan was exposed by Tissaphernes, but Cyrus was spared following the intervention of Parysatis and sent back to Asia Minor. The authenticity of this event is deemed uncertain by modern historians.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=616}}{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=460}}{{sfn|Waters|2014|p=177}} According to Binder, the transition of power between Darius II and Arsaces was seemingly peaceful.{{sfn|Jacobs|Rollinger|2021|p=460}} During his [[investiture]], Arsaces adopted the throne name of Artaxerxes.{{sfn|Llewellyn-Jones|2013|p=13}}