Demaratus, Xerxes, and Spartan Rules of Succession in Persia

Richard Persky (University of Michigan)

At Hdt. 7.3, the former Spartan king Demaratus persuades Darius to declare Xerxes his heir, on the grounds that although the rival claimant Artabazanes is older, Artabazanes was born the son of a private citizen (idiotes) but Xerxes the son of a king (basileus). But Demaratus’ argument against Artabazanes’ succession is the same argument that his own co-king and enemy Cleomenes had used to depose him. As recounted in Hdt. 6.62ff, Demaratus had been born suspiciously soon after his mother was divorced from her first husband, Aegetus, and remarried to Ariston. Thus, his enemies claimed that Demaratus was the son of the idiotes Aegetus, rather than of the basileus Ariston. If either of Darius’ sons is in a position parallel to that of Demaratus, it should be Artabazanes; but Demaratus chooses to support Xerxes, and invokes the name of Sparta in doing so, identifying porphyrogeniture as a Spartan custom (Hdt. 7.3.3). What is Herodotus doing in this odd episode?

Demaratus’ primary role in book 7 will be advisor and interpreter of Greek – and especially Spartan – customs to Xerxes. 7.3 looks forward to both of these functions; Demaratus earns Xerxes’gratitude and establishes himself as a credible advisor to the Persian monarchy, and his citation of a Spartan rule of succession anticipates, e.g., his explanation of why Spartans comb their hair in preparation for battle (Hdt. 7.209). The son of idiotes/son of basileus contrast, however, draws reader attention back to Demaratus’ disgrace in book 6. Paradoxically, this reminder of Demaratus’ failed kingship bolsters his qualifications as advisor, by assimilating him into a motif Herodotus established with his account of Croesus. At Hdt. 1.85ff, Croesus loses his own kingdom and becomes Cyrus’ trusted councilor (Hdt. 1.85ff). Thus, by reminding us that Demaratus is a failed king – like Croesus – Herodotus further establishes him in the role of wise advisor.