Category:Darius II (subject)
Darius II was King of Persia, from 423 BCE to his death in 404 BCE.
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Overview
Darius II was the satrap of Hyrcania and the illegitimate son of King Artaxerses I. When the latter died his son Xerses II succeeded him, but only to be killed by his brother Sogdianus. Darius II seized the opportunity; he rebelled and killed his half-brother Sogdianus and took power.
As long as Athens ruled unchallenged, Darius II did not mingle in Greek affairs. The conflict between Sparta and Athens gave him the opportunity to side with the Spartans and begin a war with Athens, which was carried on by his son Cyrus the Younger.
Darius II died in 404 BCE after a reign of 19 years and was succeeded by his son Artaxerses II.
Darius II and the Jews
As King of Persia, Darius II ruled with Judah. It is likely that Nehemiah's second mission extended to the beginning of Darius II' reign, and he (not Darius III) was the Darius recorded by Josephus in relation to the Samaritan schism. The fact that Darius II continued to support Nehemiah seems to indicate that the reforms in Judah were more than a personal favor to a loyal officer. The attitude toward the Samaritan Schism however shows that the goal was not to side with one party only, but rather to reach a balance of power in the region. The direct involvement of the Persian king in religious affairs is proved also by Darius II's intervention, attested in the Elephantine Papyri, as responsible for a rescript to the Persian satrap in Egypt about religious observance at the Jewish shrine there.
Darius II in ancient sources
- Darius II (sources) -- survey of ancient sources
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