Artaxerxes I reigned 41 years.
Details
Primary person: Artaxerxes
*EXTRA-BIBLICAL SOURCES:
- Babylonian contract tablets dated to “Year 41 of Artaxerxes” appear until late 424 BC (around December), after which a brief period of tablets dated to “Year 1 of Xerxes II” (Artaxerxes I’s son) and “Sogdianus” (a rival) emerges, followed by “Year 1 of Darius II” in early 423 BC. This indicates Artaxerxes I’s death in late 424 BC, with a short succession crisis.
- Ptolemy’s Canon lists Artaxerxes I’s reign as 41 years, ending in 424 BC, with Darius II succeeding him.
- In his Persica, Ctesias describes Artaxerxes I’s death and the subsequent succession struggle involving Xerxes II, Sogdianus, and Darius II (Ochus).
- In his Library of History (Book 12.71), Diodorus recounts Artaxerxes I’s death and the brief reigns of Xerxes II and Sogdianus before Darius II’s accession.
- The Elephantine Papyri continue to use Artaxerxes I’s regnal years until his death.
- Persepolis Treasury Tablets dated to Artaxerxes I’s reign continue until late 424 BC, with a transition to Darius II’s records in 423 BC, supporting Artaxerxes’ death in 424 BC.