Megabates

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article does not cite any references or sources. (January 2008) Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unverifiable material may be challenged and removed.

Megabates was a Persian general and admiral in the late sixth century BC and early fifth century BC. He is most notable under the writings of Herodotus for his joint participation in the failed 499 BC siege of Naxos. He was sent by Darius the Great alongside Aristagoras and 200 ships to annex the small Aegean Sea island to the growing Persian Empire.

According to one school of thought, it was in fact Megabates who forwarned the Naxians of the ensuing Persian siege. As a result, Naxos gathered supplies and fortified their city to withstand the four month-long siege. It is believed that Megabates' rationale was to shame Aristagoras in the Persian court, for they were earlier during the sail involved in a dispute.