Ionian Revolt: Encyclopedia II - Ionian Revolt - The Revolt of Naxos

Ionian Revolt - The Revolt of Naxos

In 502 BC, the people of Naxos, an island in the Aegean Sea controlled by the Persian Empire, revolted. The former rulers of Naxos appealed to Aristagoras, the Greek tyrant of the Ionian city-state of Miletus, for aid. Aristagoras agreed, hoping to annex Naxos for himself once the conflict was resolved.

In order to prosecute the campaign, Aristagoras, in turn, sought out the aid of Artaphernes, the satrap of Lydia and brother to Darius I of Persia. Artaphernes agreed to supply Aristagoras with a fleet of ships under the command of the esteemed Persian admiral Megabates. In order to secure the alliance, however, Aristagoras not only offered to share with Artaphernes the spoils of annexing Naxos, but also promised to reduce the Cyclades and perhaps Euboea herself. This was a promise Aristagoras could not keep unless the expedition were successful.

While preparing for the campaign, however, Aristagoras managed to offend Megabates, and the admiral secretly informed the Naxians of the coming invasion. As a result, when the fleet arrived, they were met with unexpected preparation and resistance. In 499 BC after four months, the abortive expedition was forced to retreat.

Adapted from the Wikipedia article "The Revolt of Naxos", under the G.N U Free Docmentation License. Please also see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki