Aryandes

Aryandes († 500 BC ) was a Persian satrap who ruled in the 6th and probably also in the early 5th century BC in Egypt. He is one of the most famous satrap of Achaemenid Empire.

Early years

In the year 525 BC conquered the Persian Great King Cambyses II of Egypt. He remained personally in the country until 522 BC, in the heartland of the kingdom of there left by his administrative staff brought an action against him. As a governor ( satrap ) began Cambyses Aryandes and broke into Persia to quell the uprising; on the way back he died and Darius I became the new High King. The province of Aryandes consisted of the entire Nile region up to the first cataract, the oases of the Libyan desert, and probably already Cyrenaica. Aryandes command of three Persian garrisons in Elephantine, Daphne and Maräa. These sites, located at the borders of Egypt, were taken from the time of the strings. After the accession of Darius it came in the year 522 BC to unrest in Egypt, which were sparked by a man named Petubastis. Aryandes was her, Lord be without the support of large -royal army, which was reflected at this time in the heartland uprisings. These riots were taken from the Great King very seriously, and 518 BC Darius visited the province, both in order to satisfy itself that there was peace again, as probably also to make sure that he faced Aryandes loyal.

Later time

After these riots remained calm in Egypt. To what extent this is due to the policy of Aryandes remains unclear, but it is certain that he was intent on keeping the laws of the Pharaohs, and respected the cultural and religious traditions of the country. The Greek historian Herodotus According caused Aryandes, convinced of the Barka from coming in Cyrenaica Princess Pheretime of a campaign against the city, which led to a siege. By List the Persians were able to conquer the city. It is possible that the Cyrenaica even before that belonged to the Persian Empire, which would make this campaign to quell an uprising.

According to Herodotus Aryandes to have fallen out of favor with the Great King, when he minted their own silver coins by the model. Darius felt it was high treason and was executed Aryandes. When exactly this happened is unclear, but it must be after the conquest of Barkas and the introduction of the Daric, the king large single currency, have happened in the year 512 BC. The coins are numismatists unknown, and it is possible that this event never took place, but Aryandes refused to obey the Great King in the wake of the Ionian revolt army sequence. Not later than 492 BC Aryandes was not satrap of Egypt, this year a man named Pherendates for the office is busy.

Swell

• Herodotus: Histories. Translated from August Horneffer, edited and edited by Hans -Wilhelm Haussig. Kröner, Stuttgart 1971, ISBN 3-520-22404-6.