Anthemius vs Pixodarus

The Eastern Roman Emperor Leo I appointed Anthemius as Western Roman Emperor, sending him to Italy with military support. Anthemius was a capable general and administrator, and his elevation was intended to restore stability to the Western Empire.

Anthemius, in cooperation with the Eastern Emperor Leo I, launched a massive joint naval expedition against the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa. The campaign ended in a disastrous defeat at the Battle of Cape Bon, draining the resources of both empires.

After a prolonged conflict with his magister militum Ricimer, Anthemius was besieged in Rome. Ricimer's forces captured the city, and Anthemius was captured and executed. His death marked the end of the last serious attempt to revive the Western Empire.

Pixodarus deposed his sister Ada, the rightful Hecatomnid ruler, and seized control of Caria. This coup disrupted the dynastic succession and led to internal strife within the Carian ruling family.

Pixodarus proposed a marriage alliance between his daughter and Philip II's son Arrhidaeus. This move aimed to secure Macedonian support against Persian influence, but it was opposed by Alexander the Great, who saw it as a threat to his own succession.

Pixodarus died in 335 BC, after ruling Caria for about five years. His son-in-law Orontobates, a Persian noble, succeeded him as satrap, marking the end of direct Hecatomnid rule and the beginning of Persian control over Caria.