About Artaphernes
Lived 600 BC – 500 BC. Artaphernes was a military leader.
Artaphernes (, Old Persian: Artafarna, from Median Rtafarnah), son of Artaphernes, was the nephew of Darius the Great, and a general of the Achaemenid Empire.
He was appointed, together with Datis, to take command of the expedition sent by Darius to punish Athens and Eretria for their support for the Ionian Revolt. Artaphernes and Datis besieged and destroyed Eretria, but were beaten by the Athenians at the Battle of Marathon in 490 BC.
Ten years later, Artaphernes is recorded as being in command of the Lydians and Mysians in the Second Persian invasion of Greece.
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Important facts
People in Artaphernes's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Related people
Same field, nearest in time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Artaphernes's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Artaphernes?
5th-century Persian general and satrap
When was Artaphernes born?
Artaphernes was born in 600 BC in Lydia.
When did Artaphernes die?
Artaphernes died in 500 BC.
What was Artaphernes's occupation?
Artaphernes was a military leader.
What nationality was Artaphernes?
Artaphernes's recorded nationality: Achaemenid Empire.
Sources & further reading
· DBpedia: Artaphernes (nephew of Darius I)
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Artaphernes. https://biography.guide/artaphernes-military-leader/
MLA: "Artaphernes." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/artaphernes-military-leader/.
Chicago: "Artaphernes." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/artaphernes-military-leader/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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