Sajun.org
'''Megabyzus''' was a
Persian general, son of
Zopyrus,
satrap of
Babylon. His father was killed when the satrapy rebelled in
482 BC, and Megabyzus led the forces that recaptured the city, after which the statue of the god
Marduk was destroyed to prevent future revolts. Megabyzus subsequently took part in the expedition against
Greece.
Herodotus claims that he refused to act on orders to pillage
Delphi, but it is doubtful such orders were ever given.
According to
Ctesias, who is not especially reliable but is often our only source,
Amytis, wife of Megabyzus and daughter of
Xerxes, was accused of adultery shortly thereafter. As such, Megabyzus took part in the conspiracy of
Artabanus to assassinate the emperor, but betrayed him before he could kill the new emperor
Artaxerxes as well. In a battle, Artabanus' sons were killed and Megabyzus was wounded, but Amytis interceded on his behalf and he was cured.
After this Megabyzus became satrap of
Syria. Together with
Artabazus, satrap of
Phrygia, he had command of the Persian armies sent to put down the revolt of
Inarus in Egypt. They arrived in
456 BC, and within two years had put down the revolt, capturing Inarus and various Athenians supporting him. They then turned their attention to
Cyprus, which was under attack by the Athenians, led by
Cimon. Shortly thereafter hostilities between Persia and
Athens ceased, called the
peace of Callias.
Some time thereafter, Megabyzus himself revolted. Ctesias tells us the reason was that
Amestris had the captives from the Egyptian revolt executed, though Megabyzus had given his word that they would not be harmed. Armies under
Usiris of Egypt and then
Menostanes of Babylon were sent against him, both foregoing battle for (non-fatal) duels between the generals, and in both cases Megabyzus was victorious. His honour restored, Megabyzus agreed to surrender and was pardoned, retaining his position. Some time later, Megabyzus saved Artaxerxes from a lion in a hunt, was subsequently exiled to
Cyrtae for violating the royal prerogative to make the first kill, but returned to
Susa by pretending to be a leper and was pardoned.
Megabyzus died shortly thereafter, at age 76. His son Zopyrus is known to have visited Athens, and aided in its assault on
Caunus during his father's exile, where he was killed by a rock.
