Artaxerxes III ruled Persia from 358 BC to 338 BC. He was the son of Artaxerxes II and was succeeded by Arses of Persia (also known as Artaxerxes IV). Soon after becoming the king, Artaxerxes killed all of his relatives to protect Persia from civil wars. In 343 BC Artaxerxes III defeated Nectanebo II, driving him from Egypt, and made Egypt once again a Persian satrapy.

Artaxerxes was murdered by his minister, Bagoas.