Editing Atossa (section)

==Political Influence==

Atossa wielded significant influence due to her lineage, intelligence, and status as the daughter of [[Cyrus the Great]] and wife of [[Darius I]]. According to Herodotus, Atossa, motivated by her desire to acquire Attic, [[Argive]], and [[Ancient Corinth|Corinthian]] maidservants, induced Darius I to launch an expedition against the Greeks. At her instigation a Persian expedition reconnoitered the Greek coasts and surveyed Greek naval power. This expedition, guided by [[Democedes]] of Croton—Atossa’s personal physician who treated her breast tumor and Darius’ trusted healer—was successful in gathering intelligence. However, Democedes seized the opportunity to escape, as recounted by Herodotus <ref name=".">{{cite book |title=Herodotus 3.134-138}}</ref> and Timaeus.<ref name="=">{{cite book |title=apud Athenaeus 3.152.10ff.}}</ref>

Atossa’s influence extended beyond military strategy to the realm of succession politics. Around 487 BCE, she secured Darius’ support for the succession of her son, [[Xerxes I]], despite him not being the eldest of Darius’ children. Darius had at least twelve sons in total and three sons by his first wife, the daughter of [[Gobryas (father of Mardonius)|Gobryas]],<ref name="<">{{cite book |title=Herodotus 7.2.2}}</ref> but Atossa’s advocacy ensured Xerxes’ appointment as commander-in-chief of the Persian army, solidifying his position as the heir apparent.<ref>">{{cite book |title=Herodotus 7.2.1-3.4}}</ref><ref name="?">{{cite book |title=Plutarch, De fraterno amore 18}}</ref> The succession was further reinforced by symbolic gestures, such as the placement of a frieze near the northern stairs of the Audience hall ([[Apadana]]) of [[Persepolis]] as early as 495 BCE, depicting Darius with Xerxes as the crown prince.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lendering, Joan. "Darius the Great: Death." Livius.org. Last modified April 21, 2020. |url=https://www.livius.org/articles/person/darius-the-great/9-death/#:~:text=The%20last%20letter%20from%20Babylon,about%20sixty%2Dfour%20years%20old.}}</ref> All Persians who went to celebrate the New Year’s Festival could see the intended successor through the public display.

Following Darius’ death, the transition of power to Xerxes was remarkably smooth. While there was minor unrest in Egypt and Babylonia, there were no significant rebellions comparable to those at the end of Cambyses’ reign. The absence of large-scale civil war can be attributed in part to Atossa’s authority and the legitimacy of her offspring for rulership.

During Xerxes’ reign, Atossa held the esteemed position of queen-mother. Atossa’s unparalleled position in Persian history is underscored by her title as  “Lady,” a religious honorific previously granted only to [[Anahita]].<ref>{{cite web |title="Iran Chamber Society." History of Iran: Atossa, The Celestial and Terrestrial Lady of Ancient Iran. By Shirin Bayani. Last modified March 22, 2025. |url=https://www.iranchamber.com/history/atossa/atossa.php}}</ref> Since Atossa, this title was gradually yet still rarely granted to Persian queens.

Atossa’s dignified presence is immortalized in [[Aeschylus]]’ tragedy ''[[The Persians]]'', where she is portrayed as a central and respected figure. Aeschylus first described Atossa during her entrance in the play as having “light in her eyes like that of gods,”<ref name="}">{{cite book |last1=Aeschylus |title=The Persians, line 150}}</ref> and the chorus referred to her as “supreme among deep-girdled Persian women.”<ref name="(">{{cite book |last1=Aeschylus |title=The Persians, line 155}}</ref> In the play, the late Darius I, summoned from Hades by the chorus, explicitly endorses her influence over Xerxes.<ref name="x">{{cite book |last1=Aeschylus |title=The Persians, line 832}}</ref>