Editing Darius III (section)

== Early life ==
[[Image:CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361-0-334 BCE.jpg|thumb|Coin minted in [[Cilicia]] by its satrap [[Mazaeus]], portraying [[Artaxerxes III]] as [[pharaoh]] on the obverse, while a lion is depicted on the reverse]]
Artashata is first attested during the [[Cadusii|Cadusian]] expedition of [[Artaxerxes III]] ({{reign|358|338|era=BC}}) in the 350s BC. During a battle, Artashata distinguished himself by slaying a warrior in single combat. His exploit was noticed by Artaxerxes III, who sent him gifts and gave him the [[Satrapy of Armenia]].{{sfn|EIr.|1994|pp=51–54}}{{sfn|Badian|2000|pp=245, 251}} It was probably after this promotion that Artashata married for the first time, to an unknown noblewoman, who bore him two daughters, and possibly a son named Ariobarzanes.{{sfn|Badian|2000|p=251}} His first marriage has suggested being the ''[[terminus ad quem]]'' for when he dropped his Aramaic name, Codomannus.{{sfn|Badian|2000|p=252}} Greek writers report that Artashata later became the "courier" and "slave" of the king, which some modern historians believe was written to belittle Artashata. However, the terms are in reality a Greek translation of the Old Persian ''bandaka'', which did not mean slave, but "henchman, (loyal) servant, vassal."{{sfn|EIr.|1994|pp=51–54}}{{sfn|Badian|2000|pp=249–250}}{{sfn|Eilers|Herrenschmidt|1988|pp=682–685}}

On the [[Behistun inscription]], [[Darius the Great]] ({{reign|522|486|era=BC}}) uses the term to refer to his high-ranking officers.{{sfn|Badian|2000|p=250}} It has been deduced that Artashata was probably in charge of the royal "postal service," a high-ranking position. He may have held the same Persepolis sector headed by the prominent Persian officer [[Pharnaces (son of Arsames)|Pharnaces]] (d. 497 BC).{{sfn|EIr.|1994|pp=51–54}}{{sfn|Badian|2000|p=250}} It is uncertain when this happened, it has been suggested this promotion took place around 340 BC, when Artashata married for a second time, with his sister Stateira I. In 339 BC, they had a son named Ochus.{{sfn|EIr.|1994|pp=51–54}} This demonstrates that Artaxerxes III, who was highly alert on any possible relative to challenge the throne, did not consider Artashata to pose the slightest threat to him or his son [[Arses of Persia|Arses]].{{sfn|Badian|2000|p=250}}

In late August/late September 338 BC, the court eunuch and [[chiliarch]] (''hazahrapatish'') [[Bagoas]] orchestrated the poisoning and subsequent death of Artaxerxes III through the latter's physician.{{efn|According to a Babylonian tablet, Artaxerxes III "went to his fate", which is often understood to indicate death from natural causes. However, the same wording is also used to refer to the death of [[Xerxes I]] ({{reign|486|465 BC}}), who was in reality assassinated by his son.{{sfn|Waters|2014|p=198}}}}{{sfn|Waters|2014|p=197}}{{sfn|Dandamaev|1989|p=312}} The majority of Artaxerxes III's sons, except for Arses and Bisthanes, were also murdered by Bagoas.{{sfn|Schmitt|1986|pp=658–659}} Artaxerxes III's early death proved to be a problematic issue for Persia.{{sfn|Schmitt|1986|pp=658–659}} Several modern historians argue that his sudden death paved the way for the fall of the Achaemenid Empire.{{sfn|Briant|2015|p=88}} Bagoas, acting as kingmaker, put the young Arses (Artaxerxes IV) on the throne.{{sfn|Schmitt|1986|pp=658–659}}{{sfn|LeCoq|1986|p=548}}{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=690}} Arses was determined on trying to free himself from Bagoas' authority and influence; he made an unsuccessful effort to have the latter poisoned, only to be poisoned himself along with the rest of his family by Bagoas, who put Artashata on the throne in 336 BC.{{sfn|LeCoq|1986|p=548}} Darius III's reputation for bravery, his probable royal descent, and the support he enjoyed from Artaxerxes III all helped him gain acceptance amongst the aristocracy.{{sfn|EIr.|1994|pp=51–54}}{{sfn|Badian|2000|p=252}} Macedonian propaganda, made to legitimize the conquests of [[Alexander the Great]] a few years later, accused Darius III of playing a key role in the murder of Arses, who was portrayed as the last king of the Achaemenid royal house.{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=770}}