Artaxerxes III

Artaxerxes III 𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂
The Rock relief of Artaxerxes III in Persepolis
King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire
Reign	359/8–338 BC
Predecessor	Artaxerxes II
Successor	Arses
Pharaoh of Egypt
Reign	340/39–338 BC
Predecessor	Nectanebo II
Successor	Arses
Born	Ochus
Died	August/September 338 BC[1]
Burial	Persepolis
Issue	Arses Parysatis II
Dynasty	Achaemenid
Father	Artaxerxes II
Mother	Stateira
Religion	Zoroastrianism

Ochus (Ancient Greek: Ὦχος Ochos), known by his dynastic name Artaxerxes III (Old Persian: 𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎠 Artaxšaçāʰ; Ancient Greek: Ἀρταξέρξης), was King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire from 359/58 to 338 BC. He was the son and successor of Artaxerxes II and his mother was Stateira.

Before ascending the throne Artaxerxes was a satrap and commander of his father's army. Artaxerxes came to power after one of his brothers was executed, another committed suicide, the last murdered and his father, Artaxerxes II died. Soon after becoming king, Artaxerxes murdered all of the royal family to secure his place as king. He started two major campaigns against Egypt. The first campaign failed, and was followed up by rebellions throughout the western part of his empire. During the second invasion, Artaxerxes finally defeated Nectanebo II, the Pharaoh of Egypt, bringing the country back into the Persian fold after six decades.

In Artaxerxes' later years, Philip II of Macedon's power was increasing in Greece, where he tried to convince the Greeks to revolt against the Achaemenid Empire. His activities were opposed by Artaxerxes, and with his support, the city of Perinthus resisted a Macedonian siege.

There is evidence for a renewed building policy at Persepolis in his later life, where Artaxerxes erected a new palace and built his own tomb, and began long-term projects such as the Unfinished Gate.