Histories

therefore it was neither reasonable nor just that anyone should have the royal privilege before him. At Sparta [22.4417,37.0667] (Perseus) Sparta too (advised Demaratus) it was customary that if sons were born before their father became king, and another son born later when the father was king, the succession to the kingship belongs to the later-born.

Xerxes followed Demaratus advice, and Darius judged his plea to be just and declared him king. But to my thinking Xerxes would have been made king even without this advice, for Atossa held complete sway.

After declaring Xerxes king, Darius was intent on his expedition. But in the year after this and the revolt of Egypt [30,27] (nation), Africa Egypt, death came upon him in the midst of his preparations, after a reign of six and thirty years[*](521-485.) in all, and it was not granted to him to punish either the revolted Egyptians or the Athenians.