Arses of Persia

Arses of Persia, also known by his regnal name Artaxerxes IV, was the twelfth Achaemenid King of Kings, reigning from three hundred thirty-eight to three hundred thirty-six BC. He ascended to the throne following the assassination of his father, Artaxerxes III, who had revitalized the Persian Empire. The circumstances surrounding his rise were marked by intrigue, as the eunuch Bagoas, who orchestrated the poisoning of Artaxerxes III, placed Arses on the throne with the intention of controlling him.

During his brief reign, Arses faced significant challenges, particularly from the Greek league, which dispatched troops into Asia in three hundred thirty-six due to the weakened state of the Achaemenid Empire. This period of instability was exacerbated by the power struggle between Arses and Bagoas, who sought to maintain his influence over the young king.

In a desperate bid for autonomy, Arses attempted to eliminate Bagoas by poisoning him. However, this plan backfired, leading to Arses's own demise, as he ultimately fell victim to poison at the behest of Bagoas. Following Arses's death, Bagoas installed Arses's cousin, Darius III, on the throne, further entrenching his control over the empire.