A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

Smith, William

A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology. William Smith, LLD, ed. 1890

(Ἀβραδάτας), a king of Susa and an ally of the Assyrians against Cyrus. His wife Pantheia was taken on the conquest of the Assyrian camp, while he was absent on a mission to the Bactrians. In consequence of the honorable treatment which his wife received from Cyrus, he joined the latter with his forces. He fell in battle, while fighting against the Egyptians. Inconsolable at her loss, Pantheia put an end to her own life, and her example was followed by her three eunuchs. Cyrus had a high mound raised in their honour: on a pillar on the top were inscribed the names of Abradatas and Pantheia in the Syriac characters; and three columns below bore the inscription σκηπτούχων, in honour of the eunuchs. (Xen. Cyr. 5.1.3, 6.1.31, 6.4.2, &c. 7.3.2, &c.; Lucian. Imag. 20.)