There is always in the East a tendency towards romance and exaggeration; and when a great monarch emerges from a comparatively humble position, the humility and obscurity of his first condition are intensified, to make the contrast more striking between his original low estate and his ultimate splendor and dignity.
The circumstances of the struggle between Artaxerxes and.

Artabanus are briefly sketched by Dio Cassius and Agathangelus, while they are related more at large by the Persian writers.

It is probable that the contest occupied a space of four or five years.

At first, we are told, Artabanus neglected to arouse himself, and took no steps towards crushing the rebellion, which was limited to an assertion of the independence of Persia Proper, or the province of Fars.

After a time the revolted vassal, finding himself unmolested, was induced to raise his thoughts higher, and commenced a career of conquest.