Dara II orDarab II was the last king of the mythologicalKayanian dynasty, ruling between 14 and 16 years. He is generally identified withDarius III (r. 336–330 BC), the last king of theAchaemenid Empire.[1] InMiddle Persian literature and Islamic chronicles, he is generally known as "Dara", while he is known as "Darab" in theNew Persian prosesDarab-nama andIskandar-nama. He was the son and successor ofDara I.[1]
According to early traditions, Dara II's mother was Mahnahid, daughter of Hazarmard, while later traditions refer her to as Thamrusia, aGreek woman who was the daughter of Fastabiqun and former wife of the king ofOman.[1][2] Dara II was the half-brother of Iskandar (Alexander the Great), who, after refusing to pay tribute, rebelled. During the rebellion, Dara II was assassinated by his ministers Mahyar and Janushyar (Bessus andNabarzanes).[1][3] He had three sons, Ashk, Ardashir, and a third, who name is uncertain.[1] TheSasanian monarchs ofIran (224–651) invented a descent that traced them back to Dara II through a son named Sasan (called "the elder").[4] TheHouse of Ispahbudhan, one of theSeven Great Houses of Iran, likewise claimed descent from Dara II through theirArsacid lineage.[5] TheSafavid rulerIsmail I (r. 1501–1524) claimed to be the personification of the divine light of investiture (farr) that had radiated in Dara II.[6]
Dara II is credited with the foundation of the city ofDara inMesopotamia, and in some cases the city ofDarabgerd inFars.[1]
{{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link){{cite encyclopedia}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)| Preceded by | King of theKayanian dynasty | Succeeded by Iskandar (Alexander the Great) |
