Ariobarzanes of Phrygia vs Cyrus the Younger

Ariobarzanes of Phrygia was appointed satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia, succeeding his father Pharnabazus II. He governed this strategic region during a period of Persian internal conflict.

Ariobarzanes led a major rebellion against Artaxerxes II, known as the Great Satraps Revolt. He allied with other satraps and Greek city-states, challenging central Persian authority. The revolt ultimately failed.

Ariobarzanes was captured and executed by Artaxerxes II after the failure of the Great Satraps Revolt. His death marked the end of the rebellion and reaffirmed central Persian control.

Cyrus the Younger was appointed by his father Darius II as satrap of Lydia, Phrygia, and Cappadocia, and commander of all Persian forces in Anatolia. This gave him a power base for his ambitions.

Cyrus provided financial and military support to Sparta against Athens in the Peloponnesian War. He befriended the Spartan general Lysander, helping Sparta achieve final victory at Aegospotami in 405 BC.

Cyrus's forces engaged Artaxerxes II's army at Cunaxa, near Babylon. Cyrus personally led a charge against his brother but was killed in the fighting. His death ended the rebellion and left the Greek mercenaries stranded.

Cyrus gathered a Greek mercenary army of about 13,000 men and marched from Sardis to Babylon to overthrow his brother Artaxerxes II. The expedition was recorded by Xenophon in the Anabasis.