349: Bosporan Kingdom expands | 349: Revolt in Phoenicia ends - Scroll Down for more details

The Suppression of the Phoenician Revolt (349 BCE)

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In 349 BCE, the Phoenician Revolt—a significant uprising against Achaemenid Persian rule—came to an end after several years of conflict. The rebellion, which began around 351 BCE, was centered in the prosperous coastal cities of Phoenicia (modern-day Lebanon and parts of Syria and Israel), including Sidon, Tyre, and Byblos. These cities, renowned for their maritime trade and shipbuilding, had long been semi-autonomous vassals of the Persian Empire but chafed under heavy taxation and Persian interference in their affairs.

Causes of the Revolt

The primary cause of the rebellion was dissatisfaction with Persian domination. The Phoenician cities were wealthy and culturally distinct, and their leaders resented Persian demands for tribute and military support. Additionally, the Persian King Artaxerxes III's harsh policies, including the suppression of local autonomy, fueled resentment.

Key Events

• Outbreak of Revolt (351 BCE): The revolt was led by King Tennes of Sidon, who sought to break free from Persian control. He allied with the Egyptian pharaoh Nectanebo II, who also opposed Persian rule, and received support from Cyprus.
  
• Persian Response: Artaxerxes III launched a massive counteroffensive, personally leading an army to crush the rebellion. The Phoenician cities, despite their naval strength, were no match for the full might of the Persian military.
  
• Fall of Sidon (345/344 BCE): After a brutal siege, Sidon was captured. According to some accounts, Tennes betrayed his own people, hoping for mercy, but was executed anyway. The city was reportedly destroyed, and thousands of its inhabitants were killed or enslaved as a warning to other rebellious regions.
  
• Final Suppression (349 BCE): With Sidon crushed, the remaining resistance in Phoenicia collapsed. Tyre and other cities submitted to Persian authority once more.

Aftermath

The suppression of the Phoenician Revolt demonstrated the Persian Empire's determination to maintain control over its restive provinces. Artaxerxes III reasserted dominance over the region, ensuring Phoenician loyalty by installing compliant rulers and maintaining a strong military presence. The revolt's failure also weakened Egypt's position, paving the way for Persia's eventual reconquest of Egypt in 343 BCE.

While the Phoenician Revolt was ultimately unsuccessful, it highlighted the tensions within the Persian Empire between central authority and regional autonomy—a recurring theme in ancient Near Eastern history.

(Note: Some details of the revolt, including exact dates, vary between sources due to limited historical records from this period.)