According to the Greek historianCtesias of Cnidus,King Artaxerxes and his wife died the same day (424 BC, perhaps during a military expedition), and their corpses were carried to Persia. Xerxes succeeded his father, but was murdered not much later (423 BC) by his half-brotherSogdianus.
Theepitomemade byPhotiusof Ctesias' book is the only source that mentions Damaspia by name.[3]Documents fromBabylondating in Artaxerxes' reign, refer to certainestatesas "the house of the woman of the palace". This anonymous woman could be Damaspia, or thequeen motherAmestris.[4]In an episode from the biblical book ofNehemiah(2:6) Artaxerxes is mentioned as being in the company of a royal wife, who could be identified with Damaspia or a consort of lower rank.[5][6]
