Apame was first mentioned in 1 Esdras 4:29
Yet I have seen him with Apame, the king's concubine, the daughter of the illustrious Bartacus; she would sit at the king's right hand[1]The preceding quotation is part of the Darius Contest interpolation.[2] Versions of the story, which include Apame are found in Josephus[3] and John Gower's Confessio Amantis.[4] [5] Alcuin Blamire describes the "Darius Contest" as important in "the discourse of anti-misogyny."[6] The ""Darius contest" includes three versions which omit Apame.
Scholars differ as to the identity of the king mentioned in 1 Esdras 3.4 and other sources. Josephus 3.1 says the king is the son (Darius I) of Hystaspes. Vanderkam[7] also favours Darius I. Gower (vii.1889) changes the king’s name to Cirus (Cyrus the Great). Cook suggests the names may not refer to historical characters.[8] If real characters are the source, the candidates are Darius I [7] or Darius III[9] or Darius III.[2] There are two theories as to the source for Apame. Coggins and Knibb[10] suggest a Persian name such as Apama or Apama II. Torrey suggests "we must look either to Egypt or Antioch."[2]