For the isopod genus, see Artystone (isopod).

Artystone `(Greek 'Aρгνσгωη Artystōnē; Elamite Ir-taš-du-na, Ir-da-iš-du-na; from Old Persian *Artastūnā, "pillar of Arta, the deified true"^[1]) was a Persian princess, daughter of king Cyrus I, and sister or half-sister of Atossa and Cambyses I.^[2] 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^[3].

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

1. ^ Smith 1849, p 368; Schmitt 1987, p. 665.
2. ^ Schmitt 1987.
3. ^ Brosius 1998, pp. 60, 62.

[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.