343/2-338/7 BCE
AR Tetradrachm (26mm, 15.07 g, 9h)
Imitating Athens. Head of Athena right, with frontal eye, wearing earring and crested Attic helmet decorated with three olive leaves over visor and a spiral palmette on the bowl
Owl standing right, head facing; olive spray and crescent to left, “Artaxerxes Pharaoh” in two-line Demotic A script to right.
two test cuts on either side, obv. punch.
Van Alfen Type I, 1–5 = Price, More 147–9; O. Mørkholm, “A Coin of Artaxerxes III” in NC 1974, pl. I, 7–8; cf. Meadows, Administration 329; Mildenberg, Münzwesen 124.
I was completely stunned when I won this coin.
Of the ‘satrapal’ owls of Egypt, this is by far the toughest to obtain. I was aware of the type, but I also knew that it typically went into the stratosphere, so I didn’t even bother to add it to my list.
However, when I saw this worn copy, I wondered if the more well-heeled buyers would pass on it, and luckily they did!
My presumption is this coin was minted in the short period between when Ataxerxes III took control of Egypt and when he gave it as a satrapy to Sabakes. Besides having Okhos name, this is the only coin ever produced that named a ruler as ‘pharaoh’ while he was actually the pharaoh.
Previously, the Egyptians had produced quite a few imitation owls, but none had varied much from the Athenian standard. Nektanebo II also minted some rare issues that even had hieroglyphics, but they did not name him as pharaoh. However, when Artaxerxes III Okhos overran Egypt, he became its pharaoh so this coin was correct.
Approximate birth year of Ataxerxes III Okhos to Artaxerxes II and Queen Stateira.
Ataxerxes III Okhos ascends to the throne as Artaxerxes III after the death of Artaxerxes II.
Artaxerxes III Okhos dimisses Artabazos II from the satrapy of Hellespontine Phrygia, causing him to revolt.
Artaxerxes III Okhos sends Autophradates and Mausalos, along with the help of Chares, to quell the satrap revolt under Artabazos II.
Another major rebellion erupts in Sidon against Persian control, led by Tennes (Tabnit), the king of Sidon, who initially receives support from Egypt and Cyprus. However, Artaxerxes III besieges Sidon and defeats the rebels. The Persians destroy Sidon in retaliation, leading to a massacre where thousands of Sidonians die.
Artaxerxes III Okhos attempts to re-take Egypt, but is completely defeated by Nektanebo II.
Artaxerxes III recognizes Pnytagoras as king of Salamis in exchange for loyalty.
Arrtaxerxes III Okhos successfully reconquers Egypt, ending its independence under Pharaoh Nektanebo II.
Artaxerxes III Okhos sends his satraps Belesys and Mazaios to retake Sidon, Tyre, and Byblos. The Persians are defeated by the Phoenicians, supported by Nektanebo II and Mentor of Rhodes.
Artaxerxes III enters Memphis and installs a satrap. Nektanebo II flees to Nubia.
Nektanebo II is besieged by Artaxerxes III in Memphis. He eventually flees north.
Artaxerxes III Okhos finally succeeds in re-conquering Egypt under Nektanebo II, with the help of mercenaries from Argos, Thebes, and Mentor of Rhodes.
August
The court eunuch Bagoas orchestrates the death of Artaxerxes III Okhos through poisoning by his own physician. Most of his sons are also killed. Bagoas then places Arses on the throne.