Darius (4th-century BC) was an

Achaemenid The Achaemenid Empire or Achaemenian Empire, also known as the Persian Empire or First Persian Empire (; , , ), was an Iranian empire founded by Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid dynasty in 550 BC. Based in modern-day Iran, it was the large ...

prince, the eldest son of

Artaxerxes II of Persia Arses (; 445 – 359/8 BC), known by his regnal name Artaxerxes II ( ; ), was King of Kings of the Achaemenid Empire from 405/4 BC to 358 BC. He was the son and successor of Darius II () and his mother was Parysatis. Soon after his accession, ...

by his consort Stateira. According to

Plutarch Plutarch (; , ''Ploútarchos'', ; – 120s) was a Greek Middle Platonist philosopher, historian, biographer, essayist, and priest at the Temple of Apollo (Delphi), Temple of Apollo in Delphi. He is known primarily for his ''Parallel Lives'', ...

's ''Life of Artaxerxes'', Darius was recognised at the age of fifty as co-regent and heir-apparent to his father. While in this role, according to custom, Darius could request a boon from the king. He asked to be given the latter's concubine, Aspasia of Phocaea. Artaxerxes initially agreed, though later changed his mind and subsequently made Aspasia a priestess of

Anahita Anahita is the Old Persian form of the name of an Iranian goddess and appears in complete and earlier form as ('), the Avestan name of an Indo-Iranian cosmological figure venerated as the divinity of "the Waters" ( Aban) and hence associat ...

Ecbatana Ecbatana () was an ancient city, the capital of the Median kingdom, and the first capital in History of Iran, Iranian history. It later became the summer capital of the Achaemenid Empire, Achaemenid and Parthian Empire, Parthian empires.Nardo, Do ...

, removing her from Darius' reach. Angered, Darius plotted to assassinate his father, working alongside the noble

Tiribazus Tiribazus, Tiribazos or Teribazus ( Old Iranian: ''Tīrībāzu'') ( 440 BC–370 BC) was an Achaemenid satrap of Armenia and later satrap of Lydia in western Anatolia. Satrap of Western Armenia He was highly regarded by the Persian King Artaxerxe ...

, who had previously been denied the king's daughters in marriage. Many of Darius' half-brothers were also involved in the conspiracy. However, a eunuch forewarned Artaxerxes, who had Darius arrested and tried. When the judges condemned him to death, Darius was brought before the king. The prince requested clemency, though Artaxerxes grabbed Darius by the hair and cut his neck himself. Several courtiers, as well as fifty of Darius' half-brothers and their families, were also killed. Among Darius' family, only one infant was spared.

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* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Darius Achaemenid princes 4th-century BC Iranian people Rebel princes Iranian rebels Filicides in Iran