Artystone
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Artystone `(Greek 'Aρгνσгωη Artystōnē; Elamite Ir-taš-du-na, Ir-da-iš-du-na; from Persian *Artastūnā, "pillar of Arta, the deified true"[1]) was a Persian princess, daughter of king Cyrus the Great, and sister or half-sister of Atossa. Along with Atossa and her niece Parmys, Artystone got married with king Darius I; by marrying the female offspring of Cyrus, the founder of the empire, the new king prevented his rule being contested[2].
She bore Darius at least two sons, Arsames and Gobryas, and a daughter, Artazostre. According to the Greek historian Herodotus Artystone was the favorite wife of Darius. She is also mentioned in the Persepolis Fortification Tablets, an administrative archive from Persepolis.
[edit] Primary sources
- Herodotus, 3.88.2 bis; 7.69.2; 7.72.2.
- The Persepolis Fortification Archive
[edit] Notes
[edit] References
- Brosius, M. (1998): Woman in Ancient Persia.
- "Artystone", in W. Smith (ed.), A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology.
- Lendering, J (2007 [1999]): "Artystone", in http://www.livius.org/
- Schmitt, R (1987): "Artystone", in E. Yarshater (ed.), Encyclopaedia Iranica, vol. II.
