Cyrus the Younger

AncientGeneralPersia-423 — -401

Achaemenid prince killed at Cunaxa, Xenophon immortalized.

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Quick Facts

Born

423 BCE

Died

401 BCE

Country

Persia

Era

Ancient

Occupation

General

Score Overview

Military (10%)20

Political (20%)35

Influence (20%)56

Legacy (20%)49

Leadership (15%)57

Strategy (15%)60

Total Score48.0

Cyrus the Younger — Complete Timeline

408 BC

Appointment as satrap of Lydia and commander in AnatoliaPolitical Action◆ Major

Cyrus the Younger was appointed by his father Darius II as satrap of Lydia, Phrygia, and Cappadocia, and commander of all Persian forces in Anatolia. This gave him a power base for his ambitions.

Achaemenid EmpireSatrapAppointment

Impact: regional

407 BC

Support for Sparta in the Peloponnesian WarPolitical Action◆ Major

Cyrus provided financial and military support to Sparta against Athens in the Peloponnesian War. He befriended the Spartan general Lysander, helping Sparta achieve final victory at Aegospotami in 405 BC.

Achaemenid EmpireSpartaPeloponnesian War

Impact: regional

401 BC

Death at the Battle of CunaxaWar

Cyrus's forces engaged Artaxerxes II's army at Cunaxa, near Babylon. Cyrus personally led a charge against his brother but was killed in the fighting. His death ended the rebellion and left the Greek mercenaries stranded.

Achaemenid EmpireBattleDeathRebellion

Impact: regionaltragic

Rebellion against Artaxerxes II and march to CunaxaPolitical Action

Cyrus gathered a Greek mercenary army of about 13,000 men and marched from Sardis to Babylon to overthrow his brother Artaxerxes II. The expedition was recorded by Xenophon in the Anabasis.

Achaemenid EmpireRebellionExpedition

Impact: regional