Pissuthnes

Pissuthnes, also known as Pissouthnes, (Old Persian Pišišyaothna, Greek Πισσούθνης) was an Achaemenid satrap of Lydia, including Ionia, circa 440–415 BCE. His capital was Sardis. He was the son of a man named Hystaspes, probably himself the son of Darius I, which shows his Persian origin and his membership of the Achaemenid dynasty. He held the satrapy for about twenty years, and became extremely rich as a consequence.

He is known for helping the Samians in the Samian Revolt against Athens, and for supporting various oligarchical movements against Athens along the coast of Asia Minor.

He revolted against king Darius II Nothus in 420-415 BCE. He is notable for having recruited Greek mercenaries, under the generalship of Lycon, for his campaigns. Tissaphernes was sent by the King to suppress the revolt of Pissuthnes, managed to bribe Lycon, and brought Pissuthnes to Susa where he was executed. Tissaphernes thus became his successors as Satrap of Lydia.

He had a natural son named Amorges, who continued the rebellion.