Artaynte

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Artaynte lived around 478 BC and was a princess of the Achaemenid Empire. She was the daughter of Masistes, Xerxes I’s brother, and Masistes’ wife (Artaynte’s unnamed mother). Artaynte became the wife of Crown Prince Darius, Xerxes I’s son. Most of what is known about her comes from Herodotus. Xerxes, who had already shown interest in Masistes’ wife, later took Artaynte for himself and they became lovers. When Amestris, Xerxes’ wife, learned of the affair, she punished Masistes’ wife by mutilating her; Masistes fled to Bactria to start a revolt, but Xerxes’ army killed him and his sons. The historical account does not say what happened to Artaynte after these events.