Its chief curse was Parysatis, the queen-mother.

This monster of cruelty held Artaxerxes in a species of bondage during almost the whole of his long reign, and acted as if she were the real sovereign of the country.

She encouraged Cyrus in his treason, and brought to most horrible ends all those who had been prominent in frustrating it.

She poisoned Statira out of hatred and jealousy, because she had a certain degree of influence over her husband.

She encouraged Artaxerxes to contract an incestuous marriage with his daughter Atossa, a marriage which proved a fertile source of further calamities.