Mazaeus, Mazday or Mazaios (died 328 BC) was a Persian noble and satrap of Cilicia and later satrap of Babylon for the Achaemenid Empire, a satrapy which he retained under Alexander the Great.
Mazaeus was the second last Persian satrap (governor) of Cilicia. His successor in Cilicia was Arsames, who was ultimately expelled by Alexander the Great.
At the Battle of Gaugamela, Mazaeus commanded the right flank with the Syrian, Median, Mesopotamian, Parthian, Sacian, Tapurian, Hyrcanian, Sacesinian, Cappadocian, and Armenian cavalry.
Hellenistic Satrap of Babylon As a reward for his recognition of Alexander as the legitimate successor of Darius, Mazaeus was rewarded by being able to retain the satrapy of Babylon, as a Hellenistic satrap. Alexander left a Macedonian, Apollodorus of Amphipolis, as the military commander of the garrison of Babylon, and another as tax-collector. Mazaeus continued minting coins under his name, and later without his name.
Mazaeus was the second last Persian satrap (governor) of Cilicia. His successor in Cilicia was Arsames, who was ultimately expelled by Alexander the Great.
At the Battle of Gaugamela, Mazaeus commanded the right flank with the Syrian, Median, Mesopotamian, Parthian, Sacian, Tapurian, Hyrcanian, Sacesinian, Cappadocian, and Armenian cavalry.
Hellenistic Satrap of Babylon As a reward for his recognition of Alexander as the legitimate successor of Darius, Mazaeus was rewarded by being able to retain the satrapy of Babylon, as a Hellenistic satrap. Alexander left a Macedonian, Apollodorus of Amphipolis, as the military commander of the garrison of Babylon, and another as tax-collector. Mazaeus continued minting coins under his name, and later without his name.
(1)
Mazaios
Obverse: Baal seated left, holding grapes, grain ear, and sceptre
Reverse: lion attacking stag left
Diameter:
10 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.7 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 0.7 g
No notes for this coin
Casabonne Series 1; SNG France 329; SNG Levante 112; Sunrise 64
(2)
Mazaios
Obverse: Baal seated left, holding sceptre; B'LTRZ // T in Aramaic
Reverse: lion bringing down bull left, attacking with teeth and claws; MZDI in Aramaic
Diameter:
23 mm
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.9 g
Die Orientation: -
Weight: 10.9 g
No notes for this coin
cf. Casabonne series 2, group A; cf. SNG France 346; cf. SNG Levante 100–1