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'''Artabanus the Hyrcanian''' is an obscure historical figure who was reportedly
Regent of Persia for a few months (
465 BC -
464 BC).
Artabanus probably originated from the province of
Hyrcania and reportedly served as the chief official of
Xerxes I. He is considered to have served either as his
vizier or as his head
bodyguard.
Artabanus was according to
Aristotle responsible for the death of
Crown Prince Darius. He then became afraid that Xerxes would seek
revenge and proceeded to
assassinate the King. On the other hand
Junianus Justinus reported that Artabanus had personal ambitions for the throne. He first secretly murdered Xerxes and then accused Darius of
patricide, resulting in his execution. The order of events remains uncertain but Xerxes and Darius certainly left the throne vacant.
Artabanus' course of action is also uncertain. Some accounts have him usurping the throne for himself. Others consider him to have named young
Artaxerxes I as King and to have acted as
Regent and
power behind the throne. This state of affairs would not last more than a few months. Artabanus was reportedly personally slain by the
sword-wielding
Artaxerxes I either in battle or by surprise. Artabanus is occasionally listed among the Kings of the Achaemenid dynasty though he was not related to them.
==External links==
*
Justinus' account on him
