persian

For instance, when conquering Babylon, Cyrus is careful to discredit Nabonidus, the final Babylonian king, as a tyrant. Inside the Persian empire revolts led by Datames and Ariobarzanes had been breaking out. Needing the loyalty of Carian satrap Mausolus, Artaxerxes II punished envoys who had complained about Mausolus. When Aroandas felt he had been demoted from Armenia to Mysia, he accepted the leadership of the coalition of revolting satraps. Ordered to send tribute, Mausolus merely collected more funds for himself. Aroandas’ presence in Syria stimulated additional rebellions there and amongst Lycians, Pisidians, Pamphylians, and Cilicians even Autophradates joined him, and...