He had the claim, if claim it can be called, that he was the first son born to his father after he became king; but his main dependence was doubtless on his mother.

Darius, however, proved less facile in his dying moments than he had been during most of his life, and declined to set aside the rights of the eldest son on the frivolous pretence suggested to him.

His own feelings may have inclined him towards Arsaces, who resembled him far more than Cyrus did in character; and Cyrus, moreover, had recently offended him, and been summoned to court, to answer a very serious charge.

Arsaces, therefore, was nominated, and took the name of Artaxerxes--as one of a king who had reigned long, and, on the whole, prosperously.
An incident of ill omen accompanied the commencement of the new reign (B.C.

405).