Mazaeus | |
|---|---|
 Possible coin of Mazaeus | |
| Native name | Mazaios |
| Born | 385 BC |
| Died | 328 BC (aged 57 years) |
| Allegiance | Achaemenid Empire,Macedonian Empire |
| Rank | Satrap ofCilicia (under theAchaemenids) Satrap ofBabylon (underAlexander the Great) |
Mazaeus orMazday (Aramaic: 𐡌𐡆𐡃𐡉 MZDY, Greek: ΜαζαῖοςMazaios)[1] (died 328 BC) was anAchaemenid Persian noble, satrap (a type of governor) ofCilicia and later satrap ofBabylon for the Achaemenid Empire. He retained the satrapy after Babylon was under the rule ofAlexander the Great.[2]
Mazaeus was the penultimatePersiansatrap (governor) ofCilicia. His successor in Cilicia wasArsames, who was ultimately expelled byAlexander the Great.
At theBattle of Gaugamela, Mazaeus commanded the right flank with theSyrian,Median,Mesopotamian,Parthian,Sacian,Tapurian,Hyrcanian,Sacesinian,Cappadocian, andArmenian cavalry.
As a reward for his recognition of Alexander as the legitimate successor of Darius, Mazaeus was rewarded by being able to retain the satrapy of Babylon, as a Hellenistic satrap.[2] Alexander left a Macedonian,Apollodorus of Amphipolis, as the military commander of the garrison of Babylon, and another as tax-collector.[2] Mazaeus continued minting coins under his name, and later without his name.
The daughter of the Persian king Darius III,Stateira II, was originally betrothed to him, but he died before they could be married. She was eventually married to Alexander.
Waldemar Heckel suggested that theAlexander Sarcophagus might have been dedicated to him.[3]
Mazaeus was replaced as satrap of Babylon byStamenes.[4]
Mazaeus had an abundant coinage, which he minted inTarsos,Sidon andBabylon.Coinage as Satrap of Cilicia
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Coinage as Satrap of Babylon
Rulers in theAchaemenid Empire | ||
|---|---|---|
Family tree - Achaemenid Kingdom | ||
| Kings of Kings of theAchaemenid Empire |  | |
| Satraps ofLydia | ||
| Satraps ofHellespontine Phrygia | ||
| Satraps ofCappadocia | ||
| Greek Governors ofAsia Minor cities | ||
| Dynasts ofLycia | ||
| Dynasts ofCaria | ||
| Kings ofMacedonia | ||
| Kings of Tyre | ||
| Kings of Sidon |
| |
| Satraps ofArmenia | ||
| Satraps ofEgypt | ||
| Satraps ofBactria | ||
| Satraps ofMedia | ||
| Satraps ofCilicia | ||
| Other known satraps | ||
In most territories, Achaemenid rulers were succeeded byHellenistic satraps andHellenistic rulers from around 330 BC | ||