A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

1. One of the seven Persian nobles who formed the conspiracy against the Magian Smerdis, B. C. 521. In the discussion put into the mouths of the conspirators by Herodotus, after the death of the Magian, Megabazus recommends an oligarchical form of government. (Hdt. 3.70, 81.) Dareius, who held him in the highest esteem, left him behind with an army in Europe, when he himself recrossed the Hellespont, on his return from Seytina, B. C. 506. (Id. 4.143, 144.) Megabazus subdued Perinthus and the other cities on the Hellespont and along the coast of Thrace, which had not yet submitted to the Persian rule, and removed the Paeonians, who dwelt about the Strymon, into Phrygia. (Id. 5.1-16, comp. 98.) He also sent to Amyntas, the king of Macedonia, and demanded earth and water, in token of his submission to Dareius. [For what followed see ALEXANDER I. Vol. I. p. 118.] On his return to Sardis he advised Dareius to recall Histiaeus from Myreinus. [HISTIAEUS.] Herodotus mentions a celebrated saying of his in praise of the situation of Byzantium (4.144). He was the father of Zopyrus. (Id. 3.153.) Xenophon (Xen. Cyrop. 8.6.7) mentions a Megabyzus who was appointed by Cyrus as satrap of Arabia.