Usiris was a Persian general serving under Persian king Artaxerxes I.
According to Ctesias, he commanded a Persian army of 200,000 men against the 150,000 men (not including cavalry) of the satrap Megabyzus, who had rebelled against the king.[1]
During the battle Usiris and Megabyzus engaged in single combat, with the result of both being wounded. Usiris inflicted a spear wound on Megabyzus' thigh two fingers deep; Megabyzus in turn wounded Usiris first in the thigh and then in the shoulder, so that he fell from his horse. Megabyzus, as he fell, protected him and ordered him to be spared.
Many Persians died in the battle, in which Zopyrus and Artyphius, the sons of Megabyzus, distinguished themselves, and Megabyzus won a decisive victory.[2]
Petisas was son of Usiris and father of Spitamas.
Apart from Ctesias, there are no other classical sources on Usiris.
References[edit]
- ^ Ctesias the Cnidian. Persica. 40.
- ^ Ctesias the Cnidian. Persica. 42.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
Sources[edit]
- Ctesias, 40, 42 [1] This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- Briant, Pierre, From Cyrus to Alexander: A History of the Persian Empire (2002). Translated by Peter T. Daniels. Winona Lake, Indiana: Eisenbrauns. ISBN 1-57506-031-0. p 577.
- Lendering, J., "Xerxes II and Sogdianus"