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Shortly after his accession, Artaxerxes II faced a significant challenge to his throne from his younger brother, Cyrus the Younger.
Answer: True
Upon his accession, Artaxerxes II confronted a significant dynastic challenge posed by his younger brother, Cyrus the Younger, who amassed an army to claim the throne.
The Battle of Cunaxa in 401 BC resulted in a decisive victory for Artaxerxes II's forces over those of Cyrus the Younger.
Answer: True
The conflict culminated in the Battle of Cunaxa in 401 BC, where Artaxerxes II's forces defeated and killed Cyrus the Younger.
Cyrus the Younger was appointed satrap of Lydia and given the title 'karanos' in 408 BC, significantly increasing his authority.
Answer: True
Cyrus the Younger was appointed satrap of Lydia and given the title 'karanos' in 408 BC, which significantly increased his authority and autonomy.
Cyrus the Younger's rebellion was motivated by his desire to expand his satrapy's autonomy.
Answer: True
While Cyrus the Younger's ambition to seize the throne was primary, his desire to expand his satrapy's autonomy and authority, as granted by his father, provided a foundation for his rebellion.
Who was Artaxerxes II's primary opponent in a significant dynastic conflict that arose shortly after his accession?
Answer: His younger brother, Cyrus the Younger
Upon his accession, Artaxerxes II confronted a significant dynastic challenge posed by his younger brother, Cyrus the Younger.
Artaxerxes II's reign was largely free from internal revolts after the defeat of Cyrus the Younger.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II faced numerous challenges and revolts throughout his reign, including the Great Satraps' Revolt, even after the defeat of Cyrus the Younger.
The Achaemenid campaign to reconquer Egypt in 373 BC, led by Pharnabazus II, was successful.
Answer: False
The Achaemenid campaign to reconquer Egypt in 373 BC, led by Pharnabazus II, ultimately failed.
The Great Satraps' Revolt was inspired, in part, by the failure of the Achaemenid campaign in Egypt.
Answer: True
The Great Satraps' Revolt was partly inspired by the preceding failure of the Achaemenid campaign in Egypt.
Artaxerxes II's long reign is considered a period of consistent imperial stability, free from major challenges.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II's long reign was marked by numerous challenges and revolts, such as the rebellion of Cyrus the Younger and the Great Satraps' Revolt, rather than consistent stability.
The unsuccessful Achaemenid campaign in Egypt directly led to the Great Satraps' Revolt.
Answer: True
The unsuccessful Achaemenid campaign in Egypt was a significant contributing factor to the Great Satraps' Revolt.
Artaxerxes II personally led a campaign against the Cadusians in 385 BC, the outcome of which is well-documented.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II personally led a campaign against the Cadusians in 385 BC, but the outcome of this campaign is not well-documented.
Egypt was under Achaemenid control throughout most of Artaxerxes II's reign.
Answer: False
Egypt had successfully revolted and was largely independent of Achaemenid control during most of Artaxerxes II's reign.
Which of the following was NOT among the significant revolts or challenges Artaxerxes II contended with during his reign?
Answer: Rebellion of Cambyses II
The rebellion of Cambyses II occurred much earlier in Achaemenid history; Artaxerxes II contended with revolts by Evagoras I, the Phoenicians, and the Great Satraps.
What were the primary reasons for the failure of the Achaemenid campaign to reconquer Egypt in 373 BC?
Answer: Primarily due to logistical issues, Egyptian defenses, and internal disagreements.
In 373 BC, Artaxerxes II initiated a significant military campaign aimed at the reconquest of Egypt. The expedition ultimately proved unsuccessful, primarily attributed to severe logistical challenges, robust Egyptian resistance, and internal discord among the expedition's leadership.
What was a significant consequence of the failed Achaemenid campaign in Egypt?
Answer: It directly led to the Great Satraps' Revolt.
The unsuccessful military endeavor in Egypt in 373 BC served as a catalyst for considerable disquiet among the Achaemenid aristocracy, precipitating the Great Satraps' Revolt.
Which of the following best characterizes a key aspect of Artaxerxes II's legacy concerning imperial stability?
Answer: The power vacuum created by his brother's rebellion contributed to subsequent instability.
A significant aspect of Artaxerxes II's legacy is how the power vacuum created by his brother Cyrus the Younger's rebellion contributed to subsequent instability, such as the Great Satraps' Revolt.
Artaxerxes II supported Sparta financially during the Corinthian War to weaken his enemies in Asia Minor.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II actually provided financial subsidies to Sparta's *enemies* (Athens, Thebes, Corinth) during the Corinthian War, not to Sparta itself.
The Battle of Cnidus in 394 BC resulted in a decisive victory for the Spartan fleet against the Achaemenid Empire.
Answer: False
The Battle of Cnidus in 394 BC resulted in a decisive victory for the Achaemenid-allied fleet over the Spartan fleet.
Artaxerxes II mediated the King's Peace (Treaty of Antalcidas) in 387 BC, which ended the Corinthian War.
Answer: True
Artaxerxes II mediated the King's Peace, also known as the Treaty of Antalcidas, in 387 BC, which concluded the Corinthian War.
Artaxerxes II actively avoided mediating disputes between Greek city-states during his reign.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II actively engaged in mediating disputes between Greek city-states, such as sending Philiscus of Abydos, demonstrating significant involvement in Hellenic affairs.
Artaxerxes II consistently allied with Athens throughout the Corinthian War.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II initially allied with Athens and Thebes against Sparta but later shifted his alliances, culminating in the Treaty of Antalcidas.
Philiscus of Abydos was sent by Artaxerxes II to mediate peace between Sparta and Thebes.
Answer: True
Philiscus of Abydos was sent by Artaxerxes II to mediate peace efforts between various Greek city-states, including Sparta and Thebes.
After 387 BC, the Persian Empire under Artaxerxes II lost its influence over Greek affairs.
Answer: False
After 387 BC, the Persian Empire under Artaxerxes II maintained significant influence over Greek affairs, particularly through the King's Peace.
The 'King's Peace' promulgated in 387 BC affirmed Persian control over all Greek city-states.
Answer: False
The 'King's Peace' affirmed Persian suzerainty over Ionian and Aeolian Greek cities, but did not grant control over all Greek city-states.
How did Artaxerxes II strategically employ financial subsidies during the Corinthian War?
Answer: To bribe Greek city-states like Athens and Thebes to fight Sparta.
Artaxerxes II strategically employed substantial quantities of 'darics,' the principal denomination of Achaemenid coinage, to incentivize Greek city-states such as Athens, Thebes, and Corinth to engage in conflict against Sparta.
What was the significance of the Battle of Cnidus in 394 BC concerning the Achaemenid Empire's naval power and influence?
Answer: It resulted in a decisive victory for the Achaemenid-allied fleet over Sparta, shifting naval power.
The Battle of Cnidus in 394 BC saw the Achaemenid Empire, allied with Athens, decisively defeat the Spartan fleet. This victory shifted naval power dynamics in the Aegean Sea.
The King's Peace (Treaty of Antalcidas), promulgated in 387 BC, primarily:
Answer: Ended the Corinthian War and returned Greek cities of Ionia to Persian control.
The treaty known as the King's Peace, or the Treaty of Antalcidas, was promulgated in 387 BC under the auspices of Artaxerxes II's mediation. This accord concluded the Corinthian War, reintegrating the Greek cities of Ionia and Aeolis under Persian suzerainty.
Artaxerxes II's diplomatic efforts to mediate Greek conflicts, exemplified by the mission of Philiscus of Abydos, were primarily aimed at:
Answer: Fostering peace between Greek city-states, though sometimes shifting alliances.
Philiscus of Abydos was dispatched by Artaxerxes II to Delphi with the objective of mediating a 'Common Peace' among the fractious Greek city-states. While the mission sought to foster reconciliation, it ultimately faltered due to persistent disagreements.
The treaty established in 387 BC through Artaxerxes II's mediation is commonly known by which name?
Answer: The King's Peace or Treaty of Antalcidas
The accord designated as the 'King's Peace,' alternatively identified as the Treaty of Antalcidas, was formally enacted in 387 BC under the auspices of Artaxerxes II's mediation.
Artaxerxes II focused his building projects primarily on military fortifications across the empire.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II's building projects included the restoration of the Palace of Darius I at Susa and other constructions, not primarily military fortifications.
The tomb of Artaxerxes II is located in Susa and features depictions of the king alone.
Answer: False
The tomb of Artaxerxes II is located at Persepolis, not Susa, and its reliefs depict the king supported by soldiers representing diverse ethnicities, not the king alone.
Artaxerxes II was the first Achaemenid king to explicitly invoke deities other than Ahura Mazda in his inscriptions.
Answer: True
Artaxerxes II was the first Achaemenid king to explicitly invoke deities other than Ahura Mazda, such as Anahita and Mithra, in his royal inscriptions.
The goddess Anahita's status was diminished during Artaxerxes II's reign.
Answer: False
The status of the goddess Anahita was elevated during Artaxerxes II's reign, with temples built in her honor.
Artaxerxes II used Achaemenid coinage, specifically the daric, primarily for funding building projects.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II primarily used Achaemenid coinage, such as the daric, for diplomatic and military purposes, like bribing Greek city-states, rather than for funding building projects.
The inscription at Susa mentioning Anahita and Mithra is significant because it was the first Achaemenid record to explicitly name these deities.
Answer: True
The inscription at Susa mentioning Anahita and Mithra is significant as it is one of the earliest Achaemenid records to explicitly name these deities alongside Ahura Mazda.
Achaemenid royal inscriptions during Artaxerxes II's time continued the tradition of only mentioning Ahura Mazda.
Answer: False
Achaemenid royal inscriptions during Artaxerxes II's time broke the tradition of only mentioning Ahura Mazda by explicitly invoking other deities like Anahita and Mithra.
The reliefs on Artaxerxes II's tomb at Persepolis depict soldiers representing only Persian and Median ethnicities.
Answer: False
The reliefs on Artaxerxes II's tomb at Persepolis depict soldiers representing the diverse ethnicities of the Achaemenid Empire.
Which of the following represents a significant building project undertaken during the reign of Artaxerxes II?
Answer: Restoration of the Palace of Darius I at Susa
Artaxerxes II invested significantly in construction, including the restoration of the Palace of Darius I at Susa and undertaking projects in Ecbatana.
The tomb of Artaxerxes II at Persepolis is notable for its reliefs, which depict:
Answer: The emperor supported by soldiers representing diverse ethnicities
The sepulchre of Artaxerxes II at Persepolis is adorned with reliefs depicting the emperor sustained by soldiers representative of the diverse ethnicities comprising the Achaemenid Empire.
Artaxerxes II's religious policies marked a significant shift in Achaemenid practice by:
Answer: Explicitly invoking and promoting the worship of Anahita and Mithra alongside Ahura Mazda.
Artaxerxes II distinguished himself as the first Achaemenid monarch to explicitly reference deities beyond Ahura Mazda within his royal inscriptions, actively promoting the veneration of Anahita and Mithra.
What role did the goddess Anahita play during the reign of Artaxerxes II?
Answer: Her status was elevated, with temples built in her honor across the empire.
Artaxerxes II elevated the status of Anahita, the divinity associated with "the Waters," fertility, healing, and wisdom, by building temples dedicated to her in major cities.
Classical Greek sources provide the most comprehensive and detailed documentation of Artaxerxes II's entire reign.
Answer: False
While classical Greek sources offer significant documentation, particularly regarding western affairs, they do not provide the most comprehensive and detailed account of Artaxerxes II's *entire* reign, as information becomes sparser after Cyrus the Younger's death.
Plutarch's biography of Artaxerxes II is considered a perfectly accurate and undisputed historical account.
Answer: False
Plutarch's biography of Artaxerxes II, while a significant source, is not considered a perfectly accurate or undisputed historical account by modern scholars due to potential inaccuracies and biases.
Foreign sources, particularly Greek ones, generally portrayed Artaxerxes II in a highly favorable light.
Answer: False
Foreign sources, particularly Greek ones, often portrayed Artaxerxes II in a less favorable light, focusing on conflicts and court intrigues.
Xenophon's *Anabasis* recounts the successful campaign of Artaxerxes II to reconquer Egypt.
Answer: False
Xenophon's *Anabasis* recounts the journey of Cyrus the Younger's stranded mercenaries after the Battle of Cunaxa, not a successful campaign by Artaxerxes II to reconquer Egypt.
The Elephantine papyri mention the high priest Johanan during the reign of Artaxerxes II, supporting chronological order.
Answer: True
The Elephantine papyri mention the high priest Johanan in a context that supports the chronological order of rulers like Darius II and Artaxerxes II.
Plutarch's *Life of Artaxerxes II* relied heavily on the works of Ctesias and Xenophon.
Answer: True
Plutarch's *Life of Artaxerxes II* relied on various sources, including the works of Ctesias and Xenophon.
What is a notable characteristic concerning the historical documentation and sources pertaining to Artaxerxes II's reign?
Answer: Information becomes notably sparser after the death of Cyrus the Younger in 401 BC.
The historical record of Artaxerxes II's reign is predominantly constructed from classical Greek historiography, which characteristically emphasizes events pertaining to the empire's western territories. A discernible decline in the granularity of information occurs subsequent to the demise of Cyrus the Younger in 401 BC.
According to contemporary historical scholarship, how should Plutarch's biography of Artaxerxes II be critically approached?
Answer: With skepticism due to potential inaccuracies.
Plutarch's *Life of Artaxerxes II* stands as the sole extant ancient biography dedicated to an Achaemenid monarch. Nevertheless, contemporary scholarship frequently advises a critical engagement with Plutarch's narrative, acknowledging its historical value while maintaining a degree of skepticism regarding its factual precision.
How did contemporary Greek sources typically portray Artaxerxes II?
Answer: In a less favorable light, highlighting conflicts and court intrigues.
Contemporary foreign sources, particularly those originating from the Greek world, frequently presented Artaxerxes II in a less than laudatory manner, often emphasizing the protracted yet tumultuous nature of his reign.
Xenophon's *Anabasis* famously recounts the narrative of:
Answer: The journey of Cyrus the Younger's stranded Greek mercenaries after the Battle of Cunaxa.
Xenophon's *Anabasis* meticulously chronicles the experiences of the Ten Thousand, a substantial contingent of Greek mercenaries who participated in Cyrus the Younger's campaign against Artaxerxes II, detailing their arduous return journey.
Artaxerxes II, born Arses, ascended to the throne of the Achaemenid Empire following the reign of his father, Darius II.
Answer: True
Artaxerxes II, whose birth name was Arses, succeeded his father Darius II to the throne of the Achaemenid Empire, reigning from approximately 405/404 BC to 359/358 BC.
Artaxerxes II reportedly had very few children, with sources mentioning only two sons.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II reportedly had a vast number of offspring, with estimates suggesting over 115 sons from as many as 350 wives.
The birth name of Artaxerxes II was Darius.
Answer: False
The birth name of Artaxerxes II was Arses.
Parysatis, mother of Artaxerxes II, actively supported Cyrus the Younger's claim to the throne and influenced succession events.
Answer: True
Parysatis, the mother of Artaxerxes II and Cyrus the Younger, actively supported Cyrus the Younger's claim to the throne and influenced succession events.
Stateira, the wife of Artaxerxes II, died of natural causes.
Answer: False
Stateira, the principal wife of Artaxerxes II, was poisoned.
Artaxerxes II was succeeded by his son, Ariaspes.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II was succeeded by his son Ochus, who reigned as Artaxerxes III.
What was Artaxerxes II's birth name before he assumed the throne?
Answer: Arses
Prior to his enthronement, Artaxerxes II bore the birth name Arses. He formally adopted the regnal name Artaxerxes upon his investiture as sovereign.
Which of Artaxerxes II's sons succeeded him as king, assuming the regnal name Artaxerxes III?
Answer: Ochus
Artaxerxes II was succeeded on the throne by his son Ochus, who subsequently assumed the regnal name Artaxerxes III.
According to historical sources, what was the reported number of wives Artaxerxes II possessed?
Answer: As many as 350
Artaxerxes II is reported to have fathered an extensive progeny, with estimates indicating over 115 sons derived from as many as 350 wives.
The Greek epithet 'Mnemon,' associated with Artaxerxes II, signifies 'the remembering' or 'the mindful.'
Answer: True
The Greek epithet 'Mnemon' given to Artaxerxes II means 'remembering' or 'having a good memory.'
There is scholarly consensus that Artaxerxes II is the biblical figure Ahasuerus mentioned in the Book of Esther.
Answer: False
There is no scholarly consensus that Artaxerxes II is definitively the biblical figure Ahasuerus; rather, it is a hypothesis suggested by some scholars.
The Greek epithet "Mnemon" signifies that Artaxerxes II was known for his excellent memory.
Answer: True
The Greek epithet 'Mnemon' associated with Artaxerxes II signifies 'the remembering' or 'the mindful,' reflecting a reputation for memory.
The Old Persian name Artaxšaça, meaning Artaxerxes, translates to 'King of the Persians'.
Answer: False
The Old Persian name Artaxšaça, from which Artaxerxes derives, translates to 'whose reign is through truth'.
The Arsacid dynasty claimed descent from Artaxerxes II, using 'Arsaces' as a hypocorism.
Answer: True
The Arsacid dynasty claimed descent from Artaxerxes II, with 'Arsaces' serving as a hypocorism (a familiar or shortened name) linked to the dynasty's origin.
Artaxerxes II reigned for a relatively short period, approximately 15 years.
Answer: False
Artaxerxes II reigned for a notably long period, approximately 45 to 46 years.
The Parthian Empire rulers considered Artaxerxes II to be their progenitor.
Answer: True
The rulers of the later Parthian Empire regarded Artaxerxes II as their progenitor, signifying a profound historical and potentially legendary linkage.
Artaxerxes II was estimated to be around 40 years old at the time of his death.
Answer: False
Estimates suggest Artaxerxes II was much older at his death, likely in his 80s or 90s.
The Old Persian term 'Artaxšaça' reflects the Achaemenid value of 'strength in battle'.
Answer: False
The Old Persian term 'Artaxšaça' translates to 'whose reign is through truth,' reflecting Achaemenid values of righteousness.
Which of the following epithets was associated with Artaxerxes II, signifying 'the remembering' or 'the mindful'?
Answer: Mnemon
The Greek epithet bestowed upon Artaxerxes II, 'Mnemon,' translates to 'the remembering' or 'the mindful.'
What is the scholarly hypothesis concerning the potential identification of Artaxerxes II with the figure in the Book of Esther?
Answer: He is suggested by some scholars to be the biblical figure Ahasuerus.
Scholarly discourse has posited a potential identification of Artaxerxes II with the biblical figure Ahasuerus, as referenced in the Book of Esther, based on linguistic correlations and contextual analyses.
What is the meaning of the Old Persian name Artaxšaça, from which the name Artaxerxes derives?
Answer: Whose reign is through truth
The Old Persian appellation Artaxšaça, from which the Greek name Artaxerxes is derived, signifies 'whose reign is through truth'.
What evidence suggests Artaxerxes II's connection to the later Arsacid dynasty?
Answer: The name 'Arsaces,' a hypocorism for Artaxerxes II, is linked to the dynasty's origin.
The appellation 'Arsaces,' functioning as a hypocorism for Artaxerxes II, serves as the etymological root for the Arsacid dynasty, which subsequently asserted a lineage tracing back to the Achaemenid monarch.