Artabanus

• A Parthian king of the family of the Arsacidae, Just. 42, 2; Tac. A. 2, 3; 2, 58; 6, 31 sq.; 11, 8.—
• II A general of Xerxes, Nep. Reg. 1, 5; Just. 3, 1.

(Ἀρτάβανος), sometimes written Artapanus or Artapanes.

1. A son of Hystaspes and brother of Dareius Hystaspis, is described by Herodotus (4.83) as dissuading his brother from the expedition against the Scythians. In the reign of Xerxes, the successor of Dareius, Artabanus appears occasionally again in the character of a wise and frank counsellor, and Herodotus introduces him several times as speaking. (Hdt. 7.10, 46-53.)

2. An Hyrcanian, who was commander of the body-guard of king Xerxes. In B. C. 465, Artabanus, in conjunction with a eunuch, whom some call Spamitres and others Mithridates, assassinated Xerxes, with the view of setting himself upon the throne of Persia. Xerxes had three sons, Dareius, Artaxerxes, and Hystaspes, who was absent from the court as satrap of Bactria. Now as it was necessary for Artabanus to get rid of these sons also, he persuaded Artaxerxes that his brother Dareius was the murderer of his father, and stimulated hint to avenge the deed by assassinating Dareius. This was done at the earliest opportunity. Artabanus now communicated his plan of usurping the throne to his sons, and his intention to murder Artaxerxes also. When the moment for carrying this plan into effect had come, he insidiously struck Artaxerxes with his sword; but the blow only injured the prince slightly, and in the struggle which ensued Artaxerxes killed Artabanus, and thus secured the succession to himself. (Diod. 11.69.) Justin (3.1), who knows only of the two brothers, Dareius and Artaxerxes, gives a different account of the circumstances under which Artabanus was killed. (Comp. Ctesias, Pers. p. 38, &c., ed Lion; Aristot. Pol. 5.10.)

3. A Greek historian of uncertain date. Works On the Jews (περὶ Ἰουδαίων)

Artabanus wrote a work on the Jews (περὶ Ἰουδαίων), some of the statements of which are preserved in Clemens Alexandrinus. Further Information

Strom. i. p. 149), the Chronicum Alexandrinum (p. 148), and Eusebius. (Praep. Evang. 9.18, 23, 27.

4. I. II. III. IV., kings of Parthia. [Arsaces, III. VIII. XIX. XXXI.] [L.S]

(Ἀρτάβανος). (1) Son of Hystaspes and brother of Darius; is frequently mentioned in the reign of his nephew Xerxes as a wise and frank counsellor.

(2) An Hyrcanian, commander of the body-guard of Xerxes, assassinated this king in B.C. 465, but was shortly afterwards killed by Artaxerxes.

(3) The name of several kings of Parthia.

• son of Hystaspes, dissuades Darius from the Scythian expedition: Hdt. 4.83
• a conversation with Darius: Hdt. 4.143
• advice to Xerxes against his expedition to Greece: Hdt. 7.10-12
• his vision and change of mind: Hdt. 7.15-18
• his dialogue with Xerxes at Abydos: Hdt. 7.46-52