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Megabazus

Persian general in Europe after Darius's Scythian campaign, about 513 BCE

Megabazus was the Persian commander whom Herodotus says Darius left in Europe when he returned to Asia from the Ister. Herodotus credits him with subduing Perinthus and much of Thrace and with sending envoys to Macedonia to ask for earth and water. His work helped to extend Persian reach along the northern Aegean coast.

In the game: Megabazus is named in the event articles on Darius's Scythian campaign and the debate at the Ister bridge. The game gives him no unit, building or mechanic of his own, and the history in this entry follows Herodotus.

Left in command in Europe

Ancient account

Herodotus says that Darius crossed back to Asia, reached Sestos, and left Megabazus in charge of the forces in Europe. He adds that Darius held Megabazus in high regard. Herodotus is the only detailed source for the appointment.

Herodotus 4.143

Conquests in Thrace and the Hellespont

Ancient account

According to Herodotus, Megabazus subdued the Perinthians, who had resisted, and then marched through Thrace, bringing its peoples and cities under Persian rule. Herodotus also says that Paeonians were uprooted and sent to Asia on his orders. Which groups submitted by force and which by agreement is not clear from the narrative.

Herodotus 5.1-5.2; 5.12-5.15

The demand to Macedonia

Ancient account

Herodotus says Megabazus sent envoys to Amyntas of Macedonia asking for earth and water, the signs of submission, and that Amyntas gave them. Macedonia then stood in some form of submission to the King.

Herodotus 5.17-5.18

The tale of the murdered envoys

Later legend

Herodotus goes on to tell how Persian envoys were killed at a banquet by young Macedonians led by Alexander, and how the matter was hushed up. The story reads as a Macedonian tale that flatters Alexander, and historians doubt its details.

Herodotus 5.18-5.21

Megabazus and Histiaeus

Ancient account

Herodotus reports that Megabazus warned Darius about Histiaeus of Miletus, who was building a fortified town at Myrcinus on the Strymon. Darius then summoned Histiaeus to Susa. Herodotus presents Megabazus as a far-sighted adviser, but the account is told from the Greek side.

Herodotus 5.23-5.24

Date and status

Disputed

The Scythian campaign is usually dated about 513, though the date is argued, and the conquests that followed are dated loosely after it. Historians debate how firm Persian control was and whether the Thracian coast became an organised province. Later Persian royal inscriptions name Skudra, usually read as Thrace, among the subject lands. Megabazus does not appear in these texts, so his role rests on Herodotus.

P. Briant, From Cyrus to Alexander, 2002