Pixodarus vs Yujiulu Shelun

Pixodarus deposed his sister Ada, the rightful Hecatomnid ruler, and seized control of Caria. This coup disrupted the dynastic succession and led to internal strife within the Carian ruling family.

Pixodarus proposed a marriage alliance between his daughter and Philip II's son Arrhidaeus. This move aimed to secure Macedonian support against Persian influence, but it was opposed by Alexander the Great, who saw it as a threat to his own succession.

Pixodarus died in 335 BC, after ruling Caria for about five years. His son-in-law Orontobates, a Persian noble, succeeded him as satrap, marking the end of direct Hecatomnid rule and the beginning of Persian control over Caria.

Yujiulu Shelun united the Rouran tribes and declared himself Khagan, founding the Rouran Khaganate. He established a nomadic empire on the Mongolian steppe, adopting the title 'Khagan' and organizing a powerful cavalry force that threatened Northern Wei.

Shelun led a major raid into Northern Wei territory, penetrating deep into the frontier. The Rouran cavalry looted settlements and captured prisoners, but were eventually repelled by Northern Wei forces. This raid established the Rouran as a persistent threat.

Yujiulu Shelun was defeated by a Northern Wei army under Emperor Daowu (Tuoba Gui) in a battle in the Gobi Desert. The Rouran suffered heavy losses, and Shelun was forced to flee. This defeat temporarily weakened the Rouran Khaganate.

After his defeat by Northern Wei, Yujiulu Shelun died under uncertain circumstances, possibly killed by his own followers or in battle. His death led to a succession struggle among the Rouran, but the khaganate survived under his successors.