Atropates facts for kids

Atropates (born around 370 BC, died after 321 BC) was an important Persian nobleman. He first worked for King Darius III, and later for Alexander the Great. Atropates eventually created his own independent kingdom. A family line of rulers was even named after him. Some old writers called him 'Atrapes' or 'Arsaces'.

Biography

Towards the end of the Achaemenid Empire, Atropates was a governor, also known as a satrap, of the province called Media. During the famous Battle of Gaugamela in October 331 BC, Atropates led the troops from Media for King Darius.

After Darius lost the battle, he went to Ecbatana, the capital of Media. Atropates helped him there. Darius tried to gather a new army, but he couldn't. He left Ecbatana in June 330 BC. About a month later, Darius was killed by one of his own generals, Bessus. After this, Atropates gave up to Alexander the Great.

Alexander first chose another person, Oxydates, to be the satrap of Media. But in 328-327 BC, Alexander started to doubt Oxydates' loyalty. So, Atropates was made satrap of Media again. In 325-324 BC, Atropates handed over a rebel leader named Baryaxes to Alexander. Alexander thought very highly of Atropates.

Alexander the Great died on June 10, 323 BC. Atropates' new son-in-law, Perdiccas, became the regent (a ruler for a young or absent king) for Alexander's half-brother, Philip III. After a meeting called the "Partition of Babylon" in 323 BC, Media was split into two parts. A larger southern part was given to Peithon, one of Perdiccas's generals. The smaller northern part was given to Atropates. At some point, Atropates made his part of Media into an independent kingdom. His son-in-law Perdiccas was later killed by Peithon in the summer of 320 BC.

Legacy

The family line that Atropates started ruled his kingdom for many centuries. They became 'vassals' (meaning they were loyal to and paid tribute to) first the Seleucid Empire, and then the Arsacids.

The area of Atropates' kingdom was known to the Greeks as "Media Atropatene," named after Atropates himself. Later, it was simply called "Atropatene." The Arsacids called it 'Aturpatakan' in their language, and so did the Sassanids. Over time, 'Aturpatakan' changed into 'Azerbaijan.' This is where the modern country of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Iranian province of Azerbaijan get their names.

Images for kids

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  Painting of Atropates meeting with Alexander the Great. National Museum of History of Azerbaijan

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  Atropates was given the Hellenistic satrapy of Media, in the Partition of Babylon (323 BC) after Alexander's death.

See also

In Spanish: Atropates para niños