THE ROLES OF ARTABAZUS II AND HIS FAMILY MEMBERS IN THE PERSIAN-MACEDONIAN WARS

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 deep-rooted 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. The second is Mentor's alliance with the king and his accomplishments during the Egyptian revolt, which put an end to Artabazus' exile in c. 342 BC and resulted in the rehabilitation of the family members in the Persian system. When Darius III came to the throne, the family gained its prior dignity and was highly influential in the war Alexander waged against the Persians. Particularly in Asia Minor, Memnon and Pharnabazus successfully conducted the naval battle against Alexander. In Central Asia, Artabazus, his sons (Arsames, Ariobarzanes, and Cophen) and Thymondas held important positions and fought alongside Darius III against Alexander. The third critical event is their siding with Alexander after the death of Darius III. Behind them was the Persian Empire fallen apart, and this time -albeit not long-lasting-they managed to acquire a place within the Macedonian Kingdom. Alongside Alexander the Great, to whom they proclaimed their loyalty, they actively fought against the revolting and resisting local peoples in Bactria, and Sogdiana.