Mithrapata | |
|---|---|
 Portrait of Mithrapata, from his coinage. | |
| Allegiance | Achaemenid Empire |
| Years of service | fl. 390 – 370 BC |
| Rank | Dynast ofLycia |
Mithrapāta (c. 390–370 BC) wasdynast ofLycia in the early 4th century BC, at a time when this part ofAnatolia was subject to thePersian, or Achaemenid, Empire.
Present-day knowledge of Lycia in the period ofclassical antiquity comes mostly from archaeology, in which this region is unusually rich. Believed to have been based atAntiphellus, Mithrapata is known to have competed for power with another man namedArttumpara.[1]
The name of Mithrapata, which is of Persian origin, is known from Lycian coins and also from inscriptions.[2] During the fifth and fourth centuries B.C., the Lycian nobility was using Persian names,[3] so Mithrapata may have been one of them. However, it has also been suggested that he may have been a Persian sent to rule Lycia byArtaxerxes II.[4]
Together withPericles, Mithrapata was the last ruler of Lycia to issue coins. After about 360 BC, the region of Lycia was taken over by theCarian dynastMausolus.[5]
As with Pericles, the portrait of Mithrapata seen on his coins does not show him wearing the head-dress of an Achaemenidsatrap, which suggests a degree of independence from the Achaemenid Empire. His name appears in the Greek alphabet as "Methrapata".[6]
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 | ||