is aspects--that
wherein the moral and the intellectual qualities are equally in defect,
and the career is one unvarying course of vice and folly. From Xerxes we
have to date at once the decline of the Empire in respect of territorial
greatness and military strength, and likewise its deterioration in
regard to administrative vigor and national spirit. With him commenced
the corruption of the Court--the fatal evil, which almost universally
weakens and destroys Oriental dynasties. His expedition against Greece
exhausted and depopulated the Empire; and though, by abstaining from
further military enterprises, he did what lay in his power to recruit
its strength, still the losses which his expedition caused were
certainly not repaired in his lifetime.

As a builder, Xerxes showed something of the same grandeur of conception
which is observable in his great military enterprise and in the works by
which it was accompanied. His Propylaea, and the sculptured staircase in
front of the Chebl Minar, which is undoubtedly his work, are among the
most magnificent erections upon the Persepolitan platform; and are quite
sufficient to place him in the foremost rank of Oriental builders. If
we were to ascribe the Chehl Minar itself to him, we should have to give
him the palm above all other kings of Persia; but on the whole it
is most probable that that edifice and its duplicate at Susa were
conceived, and in the main, constructed, by Darius.

Xerxes left behind him three sons--Darius, Hystaspes, and
Artaxerxes--and two daughters, Amytis and Rhodogune. Hystaspes was
satrap of Bactria, and at the time of their father's death, only Darius
and Artaxerxes were at the Court.

Fearing the eldest son most, Artabanus persuaded Artaxerxes that the
assassination of Xerxes was the act of his brother, whereupon Artaxerxes
caused him to be put to death, and himself ascended the throne (B.C.
465).

Troubles, as usual, accompanied this irregular accession. Artabanus, not
content with exercising an influence under Artaxerxes such as has
caused some authors to speak of him as king, aimed at removing the
young prince, and making himself actual monarch. But his designs being
betrayed to Artaxerxes by Megabyzus, and at the same time his
former crimes coming to light, he was killed, together with his tool
Aspamitres, seven months after the murder of Xerxes. The sons of
Artabanus sought to avenge his death, but were defeated by Megabyzus in
an engagement,