The Satraps of Bactria in the Second Half of 320s B.C.

Author(s):  E.O. Stoyanov, Saint-Petersburg State University, St. Petersburg, Russia, eostoyanov@mail.ru

Issue:  Volume 38, №8

Rubric:  Topical issues of world history

Annotation:  The written sources provide us with scarce information about the government of Bactria in the last years of Alexander’s reign and just after his death. We know only the names of three satraps who ruled in series: Amyntas the son of Nicolaus was set by Alexander, a certain Philippus was confirmed in office at the congress in Babylon – so as Stasanor of Soli later in Triparadisus. Their successive replacement can be understood only in connection with the political development of Alexander’s empire, especially of the Upper Satrapies. The author suggests that two Greek colonists’ revolts (in 325 and 323-322 B.C.) were a decisive factor. The first uprising finished the political career (and possibly the life) of Amyntas, who was replaced by another Macedonian, Philippus. The latter lost the power after the second mutiny but probably received the satrapy of Parthyaea and Hyrcania. In author’s opinion, this change signified not Philippus’ failure, but first of all the enormous success of Stasanor. The Cypriot not only became the Bactrian satrap, but in fact preserved the influence in his former province, Areia and Drangiana, which had been transferred to Stasander, his compatriot and probably relative. The rise of Stasanor can be explained in several ways, but the main reasons were his Greek origin and pro-Iranian political line. These qualities were important both for appeasement of rebellious Greek colonists and for maintaining the loyalty of indigenous Bactrian population

Keywords:  Bactria, Hellenism, Greek colonists’ revolts, satraps, Stasanor the Solian

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