Editing Artaxerxes II (section)

=== Dynastic conflict with Cyrus the Younger (401 BC) ===
Tissaphernes noted that Cyrus the Younger's claims to be on a military expedition to attack the [[Pisidia]]ns had many flaws that led him to believe that Cyrus was planning to revolt. These claims became realized when Cyrus began to seek political support for his campaign. Cyrus found support from [[Sparta]], who sent soldiers to aid the campaign against Artaxerxes II. Notably, Cyrus found support from a Persian kingdom of [[Kingdom of Cilicia (ancient)|Cilicia]], who contributed to the effort through funds. During this time, due to Tissaphernes' reports, Artaxerxes II began to build up a force to contend with his younger brother's revolt.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/cyrus-the-younger/ | title=Cyrus the Younger - Livius | website=www.livius.org | access-date=2019-05-08}}</ref>

By the time of Darius II's death, Cyrus had already been successful in defeating the Syrians and Cilicians and was commanding a large army made up of his initial supporters plus those who had joined him in Phrygia and beyond. Upon hearing of his father's death, Cyrus the Younger declared his claim to the throne, based on the argument that he was born to Darius and Parysatis after Darius had ascended to the throne, while Artaxerxes was born prior to Darius II's gaining the throne.

[[File:Adrien Guignet - Retreat of the ten thousand.jpg|thumb|Retreat of the [[Ten Thousand]], at the [[Battle of Cunaxa]], Jean Adrien Guignet]]
Artaxerxes II initially wanted to resolve the conflict peacefully, but the negotiations fell through.<ref>{{Cite web | url=https://iranologie.com/the-history-page/the-achaemenid-empire/ | title=The Achaemenid Empire | date=2014-04-25 | website=Iranologie.com | language=en | access-date=2019-04-30}}</ref> Cyrus also ran into issues with the locals, who were loyal to Artaxerxes. Artaxerxes defended his position against his brother Cyrus the Younger, who with the aid of a large army of Greek mercenaries called the "[[Ten Thousand]]", attempted to usurp the throne. Though Cyrus' mixed army fought to a tactical victory at the [[Battle of Cunaxa]] in Babylon (401 BC), Cyrus himself was killed in the exchange by Mithridates, rendering his victory irrelevant. The Greek historian [[Xenophon]], himself one of the leaders of the Greek troops, would later recount this battle in the ''[[Anabasis (Xenophon)|Anabasis]]'', focusing on the struggle of the now-stranded Greek mercenaries to return home.