Cilicia. Tarsos. Mazaios, Satrap of Cilicia 361-334 BC.
Obol AR

11 mm, 0,44 g

The Great King of Persia, wearing crown and elaborate robes, seated right on a throne with a back terminating in a swan's head; holding a long sceptre in his left hand and a lotos in his right / Lion pouncing to right, attacking a bull kneeling to right.

Very Fine

Casabonne series 6; SNG Levante 183 (as Myriandros); SNG Paris 426-427 (as Myriandros).

Mazaios, a notable historical figure, played a crucial role in the late stages of the Achaemenid Empire, also known as the Persian Empire. He held the position of satrap, or governor, in the province of Cilicia, located in the southeastern region of present-day Turkey. His tenure as satrap occurred during the 4th century BC, a pivotal era marked by interactions with Alexander the Great. Cilicia held strategic importance due to its location at the crossroads of key trade routes and its geographical position between Asia Minor and the Levant. As satrap, Mazaios was entrusted with governing this significant province. One of the defining moments of Mazaios' career was his involvement in the military campaigns led by Darius III, the Persian king, against Alexander the Great. Notably, he commanded a considerable portion of the Persian forces at the Battle of Issus in 333 BC. However, this battle ended in defeat for the Persians, with Alexander emerging as the victor. In a remarkable shift of allegiance, Mazaios later aligned himself with Alexander's administration, continuing his role as the satrap of Cilicia under Macedonian rule. This change in loyalty allowed him to maintain his influence and standing in the region.