Artaxerxes

ARTAXERXES, ār´´tax-erk´sîz: The name of a Persian king mentioned in Nehemiah and Ezra, where, however, the word occurs in the form of Artachshashta, by which is doubtless meant Artaxerxes I. Longimanus, 465–425 B.C. In the Persian cuneiform inscriptions the name is written Artakhshathra, “righteous” or “sublime ruler.” In Ezra iv. 7, Artaxerxes Longimanus is meant, not the Pseudo-Smerdis; so also Ezra vii. 1, 11 where, following Josephus Ant., XI. v. 1, Xerxes has been read. In the twentieth year of Artachshashta or Artaxerxes, that is, in the year 445–444 B.C. Nehemiah, the cup-bearer of the king, went as governor to Jerusalem. See Persia.

(B. Lindner.)