Artaxerxes Accession

Very High Level 1

Fact

Artaxerxes I began his reign in 465 BC

Evidence

• Persian chronology is well-established through multiple sources

• Astronomical tablets from Persia confirm dating

• Greek historians (Thucydides, etc.) provide synchronisms

• The 7th year of Artaxerxes = 458 BC (for Ezra's decree)

• Some count from 464 BC, giving 457 BC for Ezra

Depends On

Required By

Ezra's Decree 457 BC (Alternative) Medium Ezra's Decree 458 BC High

The accession of Artaxerxes is crucial for calculating Ezra's decree date, which in turn is the starting point for Daniel's 70 weeks prophecy.