Phrataphernes

Phrataphernes(Median:Fratafarnah,Ancient Greek:Φραταφέρνης;lived 4th century BC) was aPersianwho held the government ofParthiaandHyrcania,under the kingDarius III Codomannus,and joined that monarch with the contingents from the provinces subject to his rule, shortly before thebattle of Gaugamelain 331 BC. He afterwards accompanied the king on his flight into Hyrcania.

Service with Alexander the Great

Phrataphernes retained the Hellenistic satrapy of Parthia, in thePartition of Babylon(323 BC) following Alexander's death.

After the death of Darius, Phrataphernes surrendered voluntarily toAlexander the Great,by whom he was kindly received, and appears to have been shortly after reinstated in hissatrapy.At least he is termed byArriansatrap of Parthia, during the advance of Alexander againstBessus,when he was detached by the king, together withErigyiusandCaranusto crush the revolt ofSatibarzanes,inAria(329 BC). He rejoined the king atZariaspain 328 BC. The next winter (328–327 BC), during the stay of Alexander atNautaca,Phrataphernes was again despatched to reduce the disobedient satrap of theMardiandTapuri,Autophradates,a service which he successfully performed, and brought the rebel as a captive to the king, by whom he was subsequently put to death. He rejoined Alexander inIndia,shortly after the defeat ofPorus,but he seems to have again returned to his satrapy, from whence we find him sending his son Pharasmanes with a large train of camels and beasts of burden, laden with provisions for the supply of the army during the toilsome march throughGedrosia.

From this time we hear no more of him until after the death of Alexander (323 BC). In the first division of the provinces consequent on that event, thePartition of Babylon(323 BC), he retained his government,but it is probable that he died prior to the second partition atTriparadisus(321 BC), as on that occasion we find the satrapy of Parthia bestowed onPhilip,who had been previously governor ofSogdiana.

References

• Smith, William(editor);Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology,"Phrataphernes (1)",Boston,(1867)

Notes

This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain:Smith, William,ed. (1870). "Phrataphernes".Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology.