Arses

Arses, also known as Artaxerxes IV, succeeded his father Artaxerxes III as the ruler of the Persian Empire and Egypt in 338 BC. His authority over Egypt during the Thirty-First Dynasty lasted until 336 BC, with dates uncertain by about a year. He governed his empire from the capital at Persepolis.

His brief reign took place under the dominant influence of the courtier Bagoas, who had orchestrated the death of Artaxerxes III. Arses wielded limited personal authority and was unable to undertake any building works or religious foundations in Egypt. His reign ended in violence when he was assassinated along with his immediate family in 336 BC.

Scholars have found virtually no archaeological traces or Egyptian monuments from his two years of rule. His existence is verified through classical Greek chronicles, Persian chronological lists, and contemporary cuneiform tablets. No royal burial site has been identified for him.

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