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The Revolt in Cyprus (350-348 BCE) - A Failed Bid for Independence
Content:
In the mid-4th century BCE, Cyprus became a battleground in the wider struggle between the Persian Empire and the rising power of the Greek city-states. The island, long under Persian control, saw a major uprising in 350 BCE led by its local kings, most notably Evagoras II of Salamis and Pnytagoras, who sought to overthrow Persian dominance with the support of Athens and Egypt.
Since the 6th century BCE, Cyprus had been a tributary state of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, though its cities retained Greek cultural and political traditions. The island's strategic location made it a valuable possession, and Persian authority was often maintained through local client kings.
The rebellion was likely inspired by earlier revolts in the region, including Egypt's successful break from Persia in 404 BCE. The Cypriot kings, encouraged by Athenian and Egyptian backing, declared independence. However, Persian King Artaxerxes III responded decisively. He dispatched a large force under the command of the eunuch general Idrieus, who besieged key cities, including Salamis and Kition.
By 348 BCE, the revolt was crushed. The Persian military superiority and lack of sustained Greek support doomed the rebellion. Some Cypriot leaders were deposed or executed, while others, like Pnytagoras, managed to retain their thrones by submitting to Persia.
The failed revolt reinforced Persian control over Cyprus until Alexander the Great's conquest in 333 BCE. The event also demonstrated the limits of Greek intervention in Persian-held territories at the time.
Historical Significance:
- Highlighted the persistent tension between Persian imperial rule and Greek aspirations for autonomy.
- Showed the difficulty of sustaining rebellions without strong external support.
- Set the stage for Alexander's later campaigns, which would ultimately liberate Cyprus from Persian rule.
(Note: Detailed primary sources on this revolt are scarce, and much of our understanding comes from fragmented accounts in historians like Diodorus Siculus.)
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