Sykes' History of Persia - Heritage Institute

236 HISTORY OF PERSIA chap.
to collect and organize a formidable army. After studying
the situation with care, he came to the conclusion
that the Spartan confederacy was more likely to serve his
ends than a sea power like Athens ; and he accordingly
favoured the Spartans. The financial support which he
gave to their extremely clever leader Lysander helped
the latter to win the decisive battle of Aegospotami in
405 B.C.
Tissaphernes, whose position was weakened, and who
realized that Cyrus was preparing to rebel, conveyed a
timely warning to the Great King. The ambitious prince
was summoned to Susa to justify his conduct ; but he
arrived
just
in time to be present at the death of his
father, in 404 b.c.
The Accession of Artaxerxes Mnemon^ 404 B.C.—
Arsaces, in spite of the influence of Parysatis,
was ac-
knowledged heir, and ascended the throne as Artaxerxes II.,
with the sobriquet of Mnemon or "The Thoughtful."
He was crowned at Pasargadae,^ and Cyrus, it is stated,
determined to murder his brother at the altar during the
ceremony ; but Tissaphernes was warned and the wouldbe
assassin was seized. The King, enraged, ordered his
instant execution ; but the Queen-M other shielded him
with her arms and finally obtained his pardon. The
foolish Artaxerxes, with true Persian magnanimity, allowed
his madly ambitious brother to return to Asia Minor,
where, as was to be expected, he immediately prepared to
fight
for the throne.
His Greek general was Clearchus, a Spartiate of
character and experience, and he speedily enrolled a
formidable force of Greek mercenaries. Cyrus also
applied to Sparta and, although
granted,
open support was not
a body of 700 hoplites was despatched to serve
under him. His army ultimately attained the considerable
total of 13,000 Greeks and 100,000 Asiatics ; and
in 401 B.C. the Great Adventurer started from his head-
quarters to fight for the lordship of Asia.
The March of Cyrus on — Babylon. Upon quitting
^ Vide Plutarch's Life of Artaxerxes^ where an interesting account is given of
the occurrence.
M