Pissuthnes
Achaemenid satrap of Lydia from c. 440 to 415 BCE
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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]
Pissuthnes | |
|---|---|
Πισσούθνης | |
Anonymous portrait of a Satrap of Asia Minor, around the time of Pissuthnes. From a coin of Ionia, Phokaia, circa 478-387 BCE. | |
| Satrap of Lydia | |
| In office 440 – 415 BCE | |
| Preceded by | Artaphernes |
| Succeeded by | Tissaphernes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5th century BCE |
| Died | 5th century BCE |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | |

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]