Ariobarzan

Ariobarzan also spelled as Ario Barzan or Aryo Barzan, perhaps signifying "exalting the Aryans" [cite encyclopedia |last= Shahbazi |first=A. Sh. | title=ARIOBARZANES | encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Iranica | accessdate=2008-03-05|url=http://www.iranica.com/newsite/articles/v2f4/v2f4a058.html] was a Persian satrap and military commander. He is best known for commanding the Persian army at the Battle of the Persian Gate against Alexander of Macedonia in the winter of 330 BC.

Family

Ariobarzan, known as Ariobarzanes II (Old Persian: Ariyabrdhna II) and also as Artabazus II, was a descendant of Pharnabazus, who was the son of an Iranian nobleman. In 387 BC, Pharnabazus was a Satrap [Satrap or Satrapes, derived from Old Persian xsatrapa, means the Protector of the Land, and it was the name given to the provincial governors in the ancient Achaemenid Empire. Darius I or Darius the Great (522-486 BC) established 20 satraps with an annual tribute. Appointed by the king, satraps were usually of the royal family or Iranian nobility and held office indefinitely. They collected taxes, were the highest judicial authority, and were responsible for internal security and for raising and maintaining an army. A satrap was assisted by a council of Iranian noblemen, to which also provincials were admitted; and was controlled by a royal secretary and by emissaries of the king, especially the Eyes of the King. After the fall of Achaemenid Empire, Greek Alexander and his successors retained the satraps.] of Hellespontine Phrygia in Anatolia, (the northwest of present-day Turkey). It should be noted that Pharnabazus cultivated the friendship of Athens and Sparta and, about 366 BC, led an unsuccessful revolt of the satraps of western Anatolia against the Achamenian King Artaxerxes II (reigned 404-359 BC). Pharnabazus, however, maintained his friendship with the King, greatly complied with his commands, and preserved his position as a satrap until he died in 360 BC.

Out of the marriage of Pharnabazus and lady Apamea, Ariobarzanes I of Cius was born, who later also became a satrap. Ariobarzanes I was betrayed by his son, Mithridates I of Cius, and was crucified in 362 or 363 BC. Then, his half-brother, Artabazus, succeeded him. Artabazus (389-325 BC) was also an Iranian nobleman who had a respectable position in the court of Darius III Codomannus (reigned 336-330 BC), the last king of Achaemenid Dynasty. Ariobarzan was the son of this Artabazus.

Life

Though the exact birth-date of Ariobarzan is unknown, it is speculated that he was born around 368 BC. Ariobarzan was made satrap of Persis (the southern province of Fars in present-day Iran) in 335 BC by Darius III. For many researchers it is surprising that Darius III Codomannus had appointed a satrap for Persepolis and Persis. It seems that previously, this office did not exist. Ariobarzan commanded part of the Persian Army fighting against the Ancient Macedonians at Gaugamela in 331 BC.

Death

Following the Persian defeat at Gaugamela, Darius realized he could not defend his capital Persepolis and travelled east to rebuild his armies, leaving Ariobarzan in command. Meanwhile Alexander split his army and led his 14,000 strong force towards the Persian capital via the Persian Gates. There Ariobarzan successfully ambushed Alexander's army, inflicting heavy casualties. The Persian success at the Battle of the Persian Gate was short lived though; after being held off for 30 days Alexander outflanked and destroyed the defenders. Ariobarzan himself was killed either during the battle or during the retreat to Persepolis.

Some sources indicate that the Persian were betrayed by a captured tribal chief who showed the Macedonians an alternate path that allowed them to outflank Ariobarzan. This is now generally considered to be a myth based on the near identical story of Ephialtes of Trachis.

ee also

*Battle of the Persian Gate

Notes

Original Reference

[http://first.iranian.ws/iran/posts/first-iranian-national-hero-aryo-barzan116.php Aryo Barzan] , First Iranian National Hero.

External links

# [http://www.livius.org/ap-ark/ariobarzanes/ariobarzanes2.html Ariobarzanes] : An Article by Jona Lendering.
# [http://www.encyclopedia.com/html/P/Pharnaba.asp Pharnabazus] , The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition 2006.
# [http://www.gaugamela.com/ King Darius III] : A Research Article on Darius-III Codomannus
# [http://www.iranica.com/articles/v10f3/v10f308.html Gabae] : The name of two places in Persia and Sogdiana.
# [http://www.livius.org/a/iran/persian_gates/yasuj.html Persian Gates] : Photos of the battlefield.