Ancient Coin Stories

Estimated birth year of Artaxerxes II to Parysatis and Darius II.

Approximate birth year of Ataxerxes III Okhos to Artaxerxes II and Queen Stateira.

Darius II, the father of Artaxerxes II, ascends the throne of Persia.

Death of Darius II. His son Artaxerxes II becomes king of Persia.

Cyrus the Younger attempts to kill his brother Artaxerxes II at his coronation. Artaxerxes is prevented from killing Cyrus by their mother, so he instead sends him to Asia Minor. Tissaphernes is responsible for divulging the plot.

The army of Cyrus the Younger defeats that of Artaxerxes II at the Battle of Cunaxa at Babylon. However, Cyrus the Younger is killed. Orontas participates as the satrap of Armenia.

The wife of Artaxerxes II, Stateira, is poisoned by his mother, Parysatis.

The Spartans under Agesilaos II attack and Persia. Artaxerxes II retaliates by bribing Corinth, Thebes, and Athens to make war on Sparta.

Tissaphernes is lured out and killed at Kolossai by Tithraustes, supported by Pharnabazos and Parysatis, the mother of Artaxerxes II.

Peace of Antalkidas, arranged by Artaxerxes II, is signed in Susa, ending the Corinthian War. Abydos, Aigai, Kalchedon, Kaunos, Klazomenai, Kyzikos, Parion, Samos, and Adramytteion become part of the Persian Empire.

Pharnabazos is reassigned by Artaxerxes II to lead an expedition into Egypt against Nektanebo I.

Many Persian satraps revolt against Artaxerxes II.

Persia under Artaxerxes II provides funds to Sparta to continue the Spartan-Theban war. They probably also provide funds to Athens.

Artaxerxes II attempts to mediate between the Greek states. He proposes a settlement that highly favors Thebes and leaves Messene free. All states except for Thebes reject it.

Spithridates is appointed the satrap of Lydia by Artaxerxes II.

The Great Satraps Revolt is finally crushed by Artaxerxes II.

Orontas takes a leadership role in the Great Satraps Revolt. He then switches his allegiance to Artaxerxes II. He uses Pergamon as his base.

Death of Artaxerxes II.