Artaphernes (active c. 513-492 BCE, also known as Artafarna) was the satrap of Lydia under the reign of his older brother Darius I (the Great, r. 522-486 BCE), monarch of the Achaemenid Empire (c. 550-330 BCE) which was founded by Cyrus II (the Great, r. c. 550-530 BCE). He is remembered for his role in the Ionian Revolt (499-494 BCE) when the Ionian Greek city-states of Asia Minor rose against Persian rule and the Battle of Sardis (498 BCE) when he defended his capital from invasion.
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Timeline
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c. 513 BCE - 492 BCEReign of Artaphernes as satrap of Lydia under Darius I of the Achaemenid Empire.
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507 BCEArtaphernes receives envoys from Athens who seem to promise submission to the Achaemenid Empire; an event which affects later Greco-Persian relations.
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499 BCEArtaphernes supports Aristagoras in the Siege of Naxos which fails, owing to Aristagoras' arrogance, after four months.
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499 BCE - 494 BCEThe Ionian Revolt against Persian rule.
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498 BCEBattle of Sardis: Artaphernes defends Sardis against the Ionian Greek invaders, driving them to the sea, preserving his city.
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492 BCEArtaphernes disappears from historical record; is presumed to have died.
