Artabazus of Phrygia
Encyclopedia
Artabazus (fl.
389 BC - 329 BC) was a Persian
general and satrap
. He was the son of the Persian satrap of Phrygia
, Pharnabazus, and younger kinsman (brother or rather nephew) of Ariobarzanes of Phrygia who revolted against Artaxerxes II
around 366 BC.
to capture Datames
, the satrap
of Cappadocia
, who had joined in the revolt by Artabazus' brother, Ariobarzan. However, Artabazus was defeated by the bravery and resolution of Datames.
, but in 356 BC
he refused obedience to the Persian king, Artaxerxes III
. Artabazus then became involved in a revolt against the king and against other satraps who acknowledged the authority of Artaxerxes III.
However, Artabazus was at first supported by Chares
, the Athenian
, and his mercenaries, whom he rewarded very generously. Afterwards Artabazus was also supported by the Thebans
, who sent him 5,000 men under Pammenes
. With the assistance of these and other allies, Artabazus defeated his enemies in two great battles.
However, Artaxerxes III was later able to deprive Artabazus of his Athenian and Boeotia
n allies, whereupon Artabazus was defeated by the king's general, Autophradates
, and was taken prisoner. Mentor
and Memnon
, two brothers-in-law of Artabazus, who had supported him, still continued the revolt, as they were aided by the Athenian Charidemus
. Together they were able to free Artabazus.
After this, Artabazus seems either to have continued his rebellious operations, or at least started a fresh revolt. However, eventually, he had no choice but to flee with Memnon and his family. They went into exile and took refuge with Philip II of Macedon
ia.
in his war against Nectanebo II
of Egypt
. After the close of this war, in 349 BC
, Artaxerxes gave to Mentor the command against the rebellious satraps of western Asia. Mentor took advantage of this opportunity to ask the king to grant a pardon to Artabazus and Memnon. The king agreed and both men and their families were able to return to Persia.
In the subsequent reign of Darius III Codomannus
, Artabazus distinguished himself by his loyalty and commitment to the new Persian king. He took part in the Battle of Gaugamela
, and afterwards accompanied Darius on his flight from Alexander's Macedonian armies. After the final defeat and death of Darius III (330 BC
), Alexander recognised and rewarded Artabazus for his loyalty to the Persian king by giving him the satrapy of Bactria
.
, married Alexander and was the mother of Heracles
. Another daughter, Artacama
, was given in marriage to Ptolemy
; and a third daughter, Artonis, was given in marriage to Eumenes
. In 328 BC
, Artabazus resigned his satrapy, which was given to Clitus
.
Artabazus had a son named Pharnabazus
(fl. 370 BC - 320 BC).
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Floruit
Floruit , abbreviated fl. , is a Latin verb meaning "flourished", denoting the period of time during which something was active...
389 BC - 329 BC) was a Persian
Achaemenid Empire
The Achaemenid Empire , sometimes known as First Persian Empire and/or Persian Empire, was founded in the 6th century BCE by Cyrus the Great who overthrew the Median confederation...
general and satrap
Satrap
Satrap was the name given to the governors of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as the Sassanid Empire and the Hellenistic empires....
. He was the son of the Persian satrap of Phrygia
Phrygia
In antiquity, Phrygia was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Phrygians initially lived in the southern Balkans; according to Herodotus, under the name of Bryges , changing it to Phruges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the...
, Pharnabazus, and younger kinsman (brother or rather nephew) of Ariobarzanes of Phrygia who revolted against Artaxerxes II
Artaxerxes II of Persia
Artaxerxes II Mnemon was king of Persia from 404 BC until his death. He was a son of Darius II of Persia and Parysatis.-Reign:...
around 366 BC.
Revolt by Ariobarzan
In 362 BC, Artabazus was sent by Artaxerxes IIArtaxerxes II of Persia
Artaxerxes II Mnemon was king of Persia from 404 BC until his death. He was a son of Darius II of Persia and Parysatis.-Reign:...
to capture Datames
Datames
Datames was a general and satrap of Cappadocia under the Persian empire. A Carian by birth, he was the son of Camissares by a Scythian or Paphlagonian mother...
, the satrap
Satrap
Satrap was the name given to the governors of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as the Sassanid Empire and the Hellenistic empires....
of Cappadocia
Cappadocia
Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, largely in Nevşehir Province.In the time of Herodotus, the Cappadocians were reported as occupying the whole region from Mount Taurus to the vicinity of the Euxine...
, who had joined in the revolt by Artabazus' brother, Ariobarzan. However, Artabazus was defeated by the bravery and resolution of Datames.
Rebellion against the Persian King
Following the capture and death of his brother, Artabazus was made satrap of Hellespont PhrygiaPhrygia
In antiquity, Phrygia was a kingdom in the west central part of Anatolia, in what is now modern-day Turkey. The Phrygians initially lived in the southern Balkans; according to Herodotus, under the name of Bryges , changing it to Phruges after their final migration to Anatolia, via the...
, but in 356 BC
356 BC
Year 356 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Ambustus and Laenas...
he refused obedience to the Persian king, Artaxerxes III
Artaxerxes III of Persia
Artaxerxes III of Persia , was the Great King of Persia and the eleventh Emperor of the Achaemenid Empire, as well as the first Pharaoh of the 31st dynasty of Egypt. He was the son and successor of Artaxerxes II and was succeeded by his son, Arses of Persia...
. Artabazus then became involved in a revolt against the king and against other satraps who acknowledged the authority of Artaxerxes III.
However, Artabazus was at first supported by Chares
Chares of Athens
Chares and was an Athenian general, who for a number of years was a key commander of Athenian forces.-First campaigns:Chares, an Athenian general, is first mentioned in historical records in 367 BC, when he was sent to the aid of the city of Phlius. The city was hard pressed by the Arcadians and...
, the Athenian
Athens
Athens , is the capital and largest city of Greece. Athens dominates the Attica region and is one of the world's oldest cities, as its recorded history spans around 3,400 years. Classical Athens was a powerful city-state...
, and his mercenaries, whom he rewarded very generously. Afterwards Artabazus was also supported by the Thebans
Thebes, Greece
Thebes is a city in Greece, situated to the north of the Cithaeron range, which divides Boeotia from Attica, and on the southern edge of the Boeotian plain. It played an important role in Greek myth, as the site of the stories of Cadmus, Oedipus, Dionysus and others...
, who sent him 5,000 men under Pammenes
Pammenes of Thebes
Pammenes was a Theban general of considerable celebrity. He was connected with Epaminondas by political and friendly ties. When Philip, the future king of Macedonia, was sent as hostage to Thebes, he was placed under the care of Pammenes...
. With the assistance of these and other allies, Artabazus defeated his enemies in two great battles.
However, Artaxerxes III was later able to deprive Artabazus of his Athenian and Boeotia
Boeotia
Boeotia, also spelled Beotia and Bœotia , is one of the regional units of Greece. It is part of the region of Central Greece. It was also a region of ancient Greece. Its capital is Livadeia, the second largest city being Thebes.-Geography:...
n allies, whereupon Artabazus was defeated by the king's general, Autophradates
Autophradates
Autophradates was a Persian who distinguished himself as a general in the reign of Artaxerxes III and Darius Codomannus. In the reign of the former he made Artabazus, the revolted satrap of Lydia and Ionia, his prisoner, but afterwards set him free...
, and was taken prisoner. Mentor
Mentor of Rhodes
Mentor of Rhodes was a Greek mercenary who fought both for and against Artaxerxes III of Persia. He is also known as the first husband of Barsine, who later became mistress to Alexander the Great....
and Memnon
Memnon of Rhodes
Memnon of Rhodes was the commander of the Greek mercenaries working for the Persian king Darius III when Alexander the Great of Macedonia invaded Persia in 334 BC. He commanded the mercenaries at the Battle of the Granicus River, where his troops were massacred by the victorious Macedonians...
, two brothers-in-law of Artabazus, who had supported him, still continued the revolt, as they were aided by the Athenian Charidemus
Charidemus
Charidemus , of Oreus in Euboea, was a Greek mercenary leader of the 4th century BC.About 367 BC he fought under the Athenian general Iphicrates against Amphipolis...
. Together they were able to free Artabazus.
After this, Artabazus seems either to have continued his rebellious operations, or at least started a fresh revolt. However, eventually, he had no choice but to flee with Memnon and his family. They went into exile and took refuge with Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon
Philip II of Macedon "friend" + ἵππος "horse" — transliterated ; 382 – 336 BC), was a king of Macedon from 359 BC until his assassination in 336 BC. He was the father of Alexander the Great and Philip III.-Biography:...
ia.
Return to Persia
During the absence of Artabazus, Mentor, his brother-in-law, was of great service to the king of PersiaAchaemenid Empire
The Achaemenid Empire , sometimes known as First Persian Empire and/or Persian Empire, was founded in the 6th century BCE by Cyrus the Great who overthrew the Median confederation...
in his war against Nectanebo II
Nectanebo II
Nectanebo II was the third and last pharaoh of the Thirtieth dynasty, as well as the last native ruler of Ancient Egypt. Under Nectanebo II Egypt prospered...
of Egypt
History of Ancient Egypt
The History of Ancient Egypt spans the period from the early predynastic settlements of the northern Nile Valley to the Roman conquest in 30 BC...
. After the close of this war, in 349 BC
349 BC
Year 349 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Camillus and Crassus...
, Artaxerxes gave to Mentor the command against the rebellious satraps of western Asia. Mentor took advantage of this opportunity to ask the king to grant a pardon to Artabazus and Memnon. The king agreed and both men and their families were able to return to Persia.
In the subsequent reign of Darius III Codomannus
Darius III of Persia
Darius III , also known by his given name of Codomannus, was the last king of the Achaemenid Empire of Persia from 336 BC to 330 BC....
, Artabazus distinguished himself by his loyalty and commitment to the new Persian king. He took part in the Battle of Gaugamela
Battle of Gaugamela
The Battle of Gaugamela took place in 331 BC between Alexander the Great and Darius III of Persia. The battle, which is also called the Battle of Arbela, resulted in a massive victory for the ancient Macedonians and led to the fall of the Achaemenid Empire.-Location:Darius chose a flat, open plain...
, and afterwards accompanied Darius on his flight from Alexander's Macedonian armies. After the final defeat and death of Darius III (330 BC
330 BC
Year 330 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Crassus and Venno...
), Alexander recognised and rewarded Artabazus for his loyalty to the Persian king by giving him the satrapy of Bactria
Bactria
Bactria and also appears in the Zend Avesta as Bukhdi. It is the ancient name of a historical region located between south of the Amu Darya and west of the Indus River...
.
Family
Artabazus' daughter, BarsineBarsine
Barsine was daughter of Artabazus, satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia, and wife of Mentor of Rhodes and after his death, Mentor's brother, Memnon...
, married Alexander and was the mother of Heracles
Heracles (Macedon)
Heracles of Macedon was a reputed illegitimate son of Alexander the Great of Macedon by Barsine, daughter of Satrap Artabazus of Phrygia. Heracles was named after the Greek mythological hero of the same name, from whom the Argeads claimed descent.It cannot be established definitively whether...
. Another daughter, Artacama
Artakama
Artakama was the second wife of Ptolemy I Soter. Artakama married Ptolemy in April 324 BC at the Susa marriage festival as ordered by Alexander the Great. Artakama is called Apama by Plutarch, but this is likely an error. Ptolemy had no known children by Artakama.Artakama was a daughter of...
, was given in marriage to Ptolemy
Ptolemy I Soter
Ptolemy I Soter I , also known as Ptolemy Lagides, c. 367 BC – c. 283 BC, was a Macedonian general under Alexander the Great, who became ruler of Egypt and founder of both the Ptolemaic Kingdom and the Ptolemaic Dynasty...
; and a third daughter, Artonis, was given in marriage to Eumenes
Eumenes
Eumenes of Cardia was a Thracian general and scholar. He participated in the wars of the Diadochi as a supporter of the Macedonian Argead royal house.-Career:...
. In 328 BC
328 BC
Year 328 BC was a year of the pre-Julian Roman calendar. At the time, it was known as the Year of the Consulship of Proculus and Scapula or Decianus and Barbatus...
, Artabazus resigned his satrapy, which was given to Clitus
Clitus the Black
Cleitus the Black was an officer of the Macedonian army led by Alexander the Great. He saved Alexander's life at the Battle of the Granicus and was killed by him in a drunken quarrel several years later...
.
Artabazus had a son named Pharnabazus
Pharnabazus, son of Artabazus
Pharnabazus was a Persian satrap who fought against Alexander the Great.-Youth:Pharnabazus was the son of Artabazus, satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia. However, Artabazus was exiled after a failed rebellion against Artaxerxes III in 358 BC. The family went into exile to Macedonia, where they met the...
(fl. 370 BC - 320 BC).
External links
- Livius, Artabazus (2) by Jona Lendering
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