(), one of the seven conspirators against the
two Magi, who usurped the Persian throne upon the death of Cambyses. In the attack which the
conspirators made against the Magi, Intaphernes lost an eye. He was shortly after put to death
by Dareius in consequence of the following circumstances. Upon the accession of Dareius, the
other conspirators had stipulated for free admission to the king at all times, with one
exception; and when the royal servants upon a certain occasion refused Intaphernes admission
to the king's person, he mutilated them, which raised the suspicion of the king that a plot
had been formed against himself. Dareius accordingly sentenced Intaphernes and all his family
to be put to death; but moved by the lamentations of his wife, the king allowed her to rescue
one from death. She selected her brother, alleging, according to the well-known tale, that she
might obtain another husband and other children, but, since her father and mother were dead,
she could never have another brother. Dareius spared, in addition, the life of her eldest
child, but killed all the other members of the family with Intaphernes. (