The Roles of Artabazus II and his Family Members in the Persian - Macedonian Wars

Authors : Sevgi SARIKAYA

Pages : 341-380

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Publication Date : 2023-03-21

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This article deals with the military and political roles undertaken by Artabazus from the Pharnacid dynasty and by his family members during the Persian-Macedonian wars. The ups and downs and accomplishments in a family’s career all the way from the Persian Empire to the Macedonian Kingdom are analyzed. Aristocratic families held important missions both in the Persian and Macedonian court hierarchy. Their loyalty was a prerequisite for the continuation of the system. Here, in the context of Artabazus’ family, the function and importance of aristocratic families within the imperial system are explored. From this perspective, the notable historical events of the period are reexamined. Furthermore, the inclusion of a local Rhodian family into the imperial system through kinship to the Persian satrap by marriage and this family’s climbing the steps of the political career is also mentioned. Apart from a comprehensive bureaucratic system established for the governance of the Persian satrapies, satraps also had officials and staff consisting of their relatives under their command. By this means, Mentor and Memnon assumed such public and military duties as ruling some cities in the Troad region and commanding the Greek mercenaries. But belonging to a deeprooted aristocratic family did not guarantee political success. The wrong steps taken might mean the loss of respectability of the whole family. There are three critical turning points in the public careers of Artabazus and his family. The first is his failed revolt as the satrap of Dascylium against Persian king Artaxerxes III resulted in life in exile at Pella. Meanwhile, Mentor preferred to take refuge in Egypt.
Keywords : Artabazus II, Mentor, Memnon, Pharnabazus III, Cophen, Darius III, Alexander the Great