Darius. cused person upon a shell, called in Greek spaxov, from whence came the term ostracism. On this oc- * * O fortunate republick, cries out Valerius Maximus, speaking of Aristides's banishment, which after having so basely treated the most virtuous man it ever produced, was yet able to find citizens zealously and faithfully attached to her service! Felices Athenas, quæ post illius exilium invenire aliquem aut virum bonum, aut amantem sui civem potuerunt; cum quo tunc ipsa sanctitas migravit! SECT. VIII. Darius resolves to make war in person against Egypt and against Greece: is prevented by death. Dispute between two of his sons, concerning the succession to the crown. Xerxes is chosen king. , WHEN Darius received the news of the defeat of his army at Marathon, he was violently enraged; and that bad success was so far from discouraging or * Val. Max. l.v. c. 3. y Herod. 1. vii. c. 1. In exilium abiit, precatus ab diis immortalibus, si exilio sibi ea injuria fieret, primo quoque tempore desiderium sui civitati ingrate facerent. Liv. 1. v. n. 32. 523 diverting him from carrying on the war against Darius. Greece, that it only served to animate him to pursue it with the greater vigour, in order to be revenged at the same time for the burning of Sardis, and for the dishonour incurred at Marathon. Being thus determined to march in person with all his forces, he dispatched orders to all his subjects in the several provinces of his empire to arm themselves for this expedition. After having spent three years in making the necessary preparations, he had another war to carry on, occasioned by the revolt of Egypt. It seems from what we read in 2 Diodorus Siculus, that Darius went thither himself to quell it, and that he succeeded. That historian relates, that upon this prince's desiring to have his statue placed before that of Sesostris, the chief priest of the Egyptians told him, he had not yet equalled the glory of that conqueror ; and that the king, without being offended at the Egyptian priest's freedom, made answer, that he would endeavour to surpass it. Diodorus adds farther, that Darius, detesting the impious cruelty which his predecessor Cambyses had exercised in that country, expressed great reverence for their gods and temples, that he had several conversations with the Egyptian priests upon matters of religion and government; and that having learnt of them, with what gentleness their ancient kings used to treat their subjects, he endeavoured, after his return into Persia, to form himself upon their model. But Herodotus, more worthy of belief in this particular than Diodorus, only observes, that this prince, resolving at once to chastise his revolted subjects, and to be avenged of his ancient enemies, determined to make war against both at the same time, and to attack Greece in person with the main body of his army, whilst the rest of it was employed in the reduction of Egypt. b a According to an ancient custom among the Per * Lib. i. p. 54, & 85. a Lib. vi. c. 2. Ibid. c. 2, & 3. 524 Darius. sians, their king was not allowed to go to war, without having first named the person that should succced him in the throne; a custom wisely established to prevent the state's being exposed to the troubles, which generally attend the uncertainty of a successor; to the inconveniences of anarchy, and to the cabals of various pretenders. Darius, before he undertook his expedition against Greece, thought him scif the more obliged to observe this rule, as he was already advanced in years, and as there was a dispute between two of his sons, upon the point of succeeding to the empire; which might occasion a civil war after his death, if he left it undetermined. Darius had three sons by his first wife, the daughter of Gobryas, all three born before their father came to the crown; and four more by Atossa, the daughter of Cyrus, who were all born after their father's accession to the throne; Artabazanes, called by Justin Artemenes, was the eldest of the former, and Xerxes of the latter. Artabazanes alleged in his own behalf, that, as he was the eldest of all the brothers, the right of succession, according to the custom and practice of all nations, belonged to him preferably to all the rest. Xerxes's argument was, that as he was the son of Darius by Atossa the daughter of Cyrus, who founded the Persian empire, it was more just that the crown of Cyrus should devolve upon one of his descendants, than upon one that was not. Demaratus, the Spartan king, unjustly deposed by his subjects, and at that time in exile at the court of Persia, secretly suggested to Xerxes another argument to support his pretensions: That Artabazanes was indeed the eldest son of Darius, but he, Xerxes, was the eldest son of the king; and therefore, Artabazanes being born when his father was but a private person, all he could pretend to, on account of his seniority, was only to inherit his private estate; but that he, Xerxes, being the first born son of the king, had the best right to succeed to the He further supported this argument by the crown. example of the Lacedæmonians, who admitted none Darius. to inherit the kingdom, but those children that were born after their father's accession. The right of succession was accordingly determined in favour of Xerxes. d * Justin and Plutarch place this dispute after Darius's decease. They both take notice of the prudent conduct of these two brothers in a point of so much delicacy. According to their manner of relating this fact, Artabazanes was absent when the king died; and Xerxes immediately assumed all the inarks, and exercised all the functions of the sovereignty. But upon his brother's return, he quitted the diadem and the tiara, which he wore in such a manner as only suited the king, went out to meet liim, and shewed him all imaginable respect. They agreed to make their uncle Artabanes the arbitrator of their difference, and without any further appeal, to acquiesce in his decision. All the while this dispute lasted, the two brothers shewed one another all the demonstrations of a truly fraternal friendship, by keeping up a continual intercourse of presents and entertainments, from whence their mutual esteem and confidence for each other banished all fears and suspicions on both sides; and introduced an unconstrained cheerfulness, and a perfect security. This is a spectacle, says Justin, highly worthy of our admiration: To see, whilst most brothers are at daggersdrawing with one another about a small patrimony, with what moderation and temper both waited for a decision, which was to dispose of the greatest empire then in the universe. When Artabanes gave judgment in favour of Xerxes, Artabazanes the same instant prostrated himself before him, acknowledging Justin. 1. ii. c. 10. Plut. de frat. amore, p. 488. * Adeò fraterna contentio fuit, ut nec victor insultaverit, nec victus doluerit; ipsoque litis tempore invicem munera miserint; jucunda quoque inter se non solum, sed credula convivia habuerint: judicium quoque ipsum sine arbitris, sine convitio fuerit. Tanto moderatius tum fratres inter se regna maxima dividebant, quam nunc exigua patrimonia partiuntur. Justin. Darius. him for his master, and placed him upon the throne with his own hand; by which proceeding he shewed a greatness of soul, truly royal, and infinitely superior to all human dignities. This ready acquiescence in a sentence so contrary to his interests, was not the effect of an artful policy, that knows how to .dissemble upon occasion, and to derive honour to itself from what it could not prevent: No; it proceeded from a real respect for the laws, a sincere affection for his brother, and an indifference for that which so warmly inflames the ambition of mankind, and so frequently arms the nearest relations against each other. For his part, during his whole life, he continued firmly attached to the interests of Xerxes, and prosecuted them with so much ardour and zeal, that he lost his life in his service at the battle of Salamis. To whatever time this dispute is to be placed, it is certain that Darius could not execute the double expedition he was meditating against Egypt and Greece; and that he was prevented by death from pursuing that project. He had reigned thirty-six years. The epitaph * of this prince, which contains a boast, that he could drink much without disordering his reason, proves that the Persians actually thought that circumstance for their glory. We shall see in the sequel, that Cyrus the younger ascribes this quality to himself, as a perfection that rendered him more worthy of the throne than his elder brother. Who in these times would think of annexing this merit to the qualifications of a good prince? Darius had many excellent qualities, but they were attended with great failings; and the kingdom felt the effects both of the one and the other. † For such is the condition of princes, that they never act nor Herod. 1. vi. c. 4. * Ηδυνάμην καὶ οἶνον πίνειν πολὺν, καὶ τῦτον φέρειν καλῶς, Athen. 1. x. p. 434. + Ita nati estis, ut bona malaque vestra ad remp. pertincant. Tacit. 1. iv. c. 8. |