Darius III has a son

So, this is something I've long wondered. Alexander the Great's conquest and subsequent rule of Persia was cemented when he wed one of Darius III's daughters, Darius had had no sons and therefore no male heir to succeed him or cause trouble. But what if he had? What would this son be able to do facing Alexander? Especially if he were around 15/16 at the time of the Battle of Issus? Would the boy die with his father, or be executed by Alexander?
 
https://www.livius.org/articles/person/ochus/

Not fantastic source but may have been called Ochus but was still a minor. If captured by Alexander then he would almost certainly be killed. If he escaped then I can't see him causing any more trouble than Bessos even if he was 15-16.
He was a minor as all the children of Darius were under 10 years old when captured and was not killed (at least not by Alexander) as that was not necessary. Likely he died young or fall in obscurity
 
He was a minor as all the children of Darius were under 10 years old when captured and was not killed (at least not by Alexander) as that was not necessary. Likely he died young or fall in obscurity

Could he potentially come out of obscurity once Alexander dies?
 

Derek Pullem

Kicked
Donor
To what?

Achmaenid succession was flexible to say the least - a prominent satrap would have almost as much credibility as King of Kings as Ochus (if he exists)
 
Darius III of Persia of the Achaemenid dynasty, abandoning his entire family at the Battle of Issus as he fled from Alexander, including his wife Stayeira I, his mother Sisygambis and his daughters Stateira II and Drypetis. Alexander is reported to have treated them with great respect.

If we presume that the son is born after his sisters (between 345 and 332 BCE) putting him between 12 to 1 years old at the battle of Issus.
I doubt that Alexander would kill him and anger his mother and sisters.

This other son, who potentially is Darius IV will most likely be raised to respect his brother in law who cared for him rather than his real father who deserted him.
The younger he is the more potential we have of Alexander taking him on as an adopted heir.
 
Darius III of Persia of the Achaemenid dynasty, abandoning his entire family at the Battle of Issus as he fled from Alexander, including his wife Stayeira I, his mother Sisygambis and his daughters Stateira II and Drypetis. Alexander is reported to have treated them with great respect.

If we presume that the son is born after his sisters (between 345 and 332 BCE) putting him between 12 to 1 years old at the battle of Issus.
I doubt that Alexander would kill him and anger his mother and sisters.

This other son, who potentially is Darius IV will most likely be raised to respect his brother in law who cared for him rather than his real father who deserted him.
The younger he is the more potential we have of Alexander taking him on as an adopted heir.

Oh I like that thought, should we say he's born in 333 BC, making him two at Issus, thus giving Alexander more scope to play with?
 

Derek Pullem

Kicked
Donor
Darius III of Persia of the Achaemenid dynasty, abandoning his entire family at the Battle of Issus as he fled from Alexander, including his wife Stayeira I, his mother Sisygambis and his daughters Stateira II and Drypetis. Alexander is reported to have treated them with great respect.

If we presume that the son is born after his sisters (between 345 and 332 BCE) putting him between 12 to 1 years old at the battle of Issus.
I doubt that Alexander would kill him and anger his mother and sisters.

This other son, who potentially is Darius IV will most likely be raised to respect his brother in law who cared for him rather than his real father who deserted him.
The younger he is the more potential we have of Alexander taking him on as an adopted heir.
With respect the Diadochii murdered anyone with the remotest link to Alexander (half brother, child). I see the life expectancy of a Persian "heir" measured in minutes after Alexander's death.
 
With respect the Diadochii murdered anyone with the remotest link to Alexander (half brother, child). I see the life expectancy of a Persian "heir" measured in minutes after Alexander's death.

You don't think someone might have half a brain and attempt to prop him up as a puppet ruler?
 
Could he potentially come out of obscurity once Alexander dies?
Pretty unlikely considering who his adult paternal uncle was unable to do anything

To what?

Achmaenid succession was flexible to say the least - a prominent satrap would have almost as much credibility as King of Kings as Ochus (if he exists)
Exactly. Plus Darius III had a younger full brother and he also had no part to play after Alexander

With respect the Diadochii murdered anyone with the remotest link to Alexander (half brother, child). I see the life expectancy of a Persian "heir" measured in minutes after Alexander's death.
I think this is true for everyone. But Jonathan was talking about the child’s future prospective while Alexander was still alive

You don't think someone might have half a brain and attempt to prop him up as a puppet ruler?
No way in the hell the Greeks will try/accept to put a Persian on Alexander’s throne (yes, any of them, including only the Persian one)
 
Pretty unlikely considering who his adult paternal uncle was unable to do anything


Exactly. Plus Darius III had a younger full brother and he also had no part to play after Alexander


I think this is true for everyone. But Jonathan was talking about the child’s future prospective while Alexander was still alive


No way in the hell the Greeks will try/accept to put a Persian on Alexander’s throne (yes, any of them, including only the Persian one)

Ahhh, so he's likely to be cast down into the annals of obscurity
 
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