Book 7
3.2
Learning of the contention between the sons of Darius, this man, as the story goes, came and advised Xerxes to add this to what he said: that he had been born when Darius was already king and ruler of Iran [53,32] (nation), AsiaPersia, but Artobazanes when Darius was yet a subject;
3.3
therefore it was neither reasonable nor just that anyone should have the royal privilege before him. At Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta too (advised Demaratus) it was customary that if sons were born before their father became king, and another son born later when the father was king, the succession to the kingship belongs to the later-born.
3.4
Xerxes followed Demaratus advice, and Darius judged his plea to be just and declared him king. But to my thinking Xerxes would have been made king even without this advice, for Atossa held complete sway.
4.1
After declaring Xerxes king, Darius was intent on his expedition. But in the year after this and the revolt of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, death came upon him in the midst of his preparations, after a reign of six and thirty years521-485. in all, and it was not granted to him to punish either the revolted Egyptians or the Athenians.
5.1
After Darius' death, the royal power descended to his son Xerxes. Now Xerxes was at first by no means eager to march against Greece [22,39] (nation), EuropeHellas; it was against Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt that he mustered his army. But Mardonius son of Gobryas, Xerxes cousin and the son of Darius' sister, was with the king and had more influence with him than any Persian. He argued as follows: “Master, it is not fitting that the Athenians should go unpunished for their deeds, after all the evil they have done to the Persians.
