Artaxerxes I

Artaxerxes I
𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂
Relief of Artaxerxes I, from his tomb in Naqsh-e Rustam
King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire,
Pharaoh of Egypt
Reign465–December 424 BC
PredecessorXerxes I
SuccessorXerxes II
Nomen
Artaxerxes


BornUnknown
Died424 BC, Susa
Burial
SpouseDamaspia
Alogyne of Babylon
Cosmartidene of Babylon
Andia of Babylon
Issue
DynastyAchaemenid
FatherXerxes I
MotherAmestris
ReligionZoroastrianism

Artaxerxes I (/ˌɑːrtəˈzɜːrksz/, Old Persian: 𐎠𐎼𐎫𐎧𐏁𐏂𐎠 Artaxšaçāʰ; Ancient Greek: Ἀρταξέρξης) was the fifth King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire, from 465 to December 424 BC. He was the third son of Xerxes I.

In Greek sources he is also surnamed "Long-handed" (Ancient Greek: μακρόχειρ Makrókheir; Latin: Longimanus), allegedly because his right hand was longer than his left.

Josephus, and several ancient traditions identify him as King Ahasuerus, from the Book of Esther.