Pissuthnes
Pissuthnes
Achaemenid satrap of Lydia from c. 440 to 415 BCE
Pissuthnes, also known as Pissouthnes, (Old Persian: *Pišišyauθnaʰ; Ancient Greek: Πισσούθνης Pissoúthnēs) was an Achaemenid satrap of Lydia, which included Ionia, circa 440–415 BCE. His capital was Sardis.[1][2] He was the son of Hystaspes, probably himself the son of Darius I, which shows his Persian origin and his membership of the Achaemenid dynasty.[3] He held the satrapy for over twenty years, and became extremely rich as a consequence.[4]
He helped the Samians in the Samian Revolt against Athens, and supported various oligarchical movements against Athens along the coast of Asia Minor.[5]
He revolted against the Persian king Darius II Nothus between 420-415 BCE.[6] He recruited Greek mercenaries under the generalship of Lycon for his campaigns.[7] Tissaphernes, who was sent by the King to suppress the revolt of Pissuthnes, managed to bribe Lycon, and then brought Pissuthnes to Susa where he was executed.[8] Tissaphernes became his successor as Satrap of Lydia.[9]
Pissuthnes had a natural son named Amorges, who continued the rebellion against the Persian king.[10]