227, Lot: 198. Estimate $100. Sold for $380. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CILICIA, Tarsos. Mazaios. Satrap of Cilicia, 361/0-334 BC. AR Stater (22mm, 10.80 g, 9h). Baaltars seated left, holding eagle, grain ear, grape bunch and scepter / Lion attacking bull to left. Casabonne series 2, group C; SNG France 340. VF, porous.

Mazaios had been appointed satrap of Cilicia around 361 BC. Later, with the addition of Syria, Lebanon, and Israel to his territories, he became one of the Persian king's most powerful subordinates; during this period he put down a Phoenician revolt, which had the support of both the Pharaoh of Egypt, Nectanebo II, and 4,000 Greek mercenaries. For his services, Darius III promoted him to the overlordship of Mesopotamia and sealed it with the promise of marriage to the king's daughter, Barsine, or Statira.

At Gaugamela in 331 BC, Maizaios' extraordinary abilities did little to ward off the advance of Alexander III of Macedon, as the flight of the Persian king signaled the collapse of the Persian army and Macedonian victory. Mazaios withdrew his forces to protect Babylon, and on the assurance that it would not be plundered, the city was surrendered. Mazaios proved himself indispensible to the new government through his hospitality and sagacity, and Alexander appointed him satrap of Babylonia, the first Persian to be so rewarded by the Greeks. He continued to be rewarded with favorable appointments until his death in 328 BC.