A Dictionary of Greek and Roman biography and mythology

(Πακτύας), a Lydian, who on the conquest of Sardis (B. C. 546), was charged by Cyrus with the collection of the revenues of the province. When Cyrus left Sardis on his return to Ecbatana, Pactyas induced the Lydians to revolt against Cyrus and the Persian governor Tabalus; and, going down to the coast, employed the revenues which he had collected in hiring mercenaries and inducing those who lived on the coast to join his army. He then marched against Sardis, and besieged Tabalus in the citadel. Cyrus sent an army under the command of Mazares against the revolters; and Pactyas, hearing of its approach, fled to Cume. Mazares sent a messenger to Cume to demand that he should be surrendered. The Cumaeans referred the matter to the oracle of Apollo at Branchidae. The oracle directed that he should be surrendered; and this direction was repeated when, at the suggestion of Aristodicus [ARISTODICUS] the oracle was consulted a second time. But the Cumaeans, not liking actually to surrender Pactyas, and yet being afraid to keep him, sent him to Mytilene. Hearing, however, that the Mytilenaeans were bargaining about his surrender, the Cumaeans sent a vessel to Mytilene, and conveyed him to Chios. The Chians surrendered him, and, according to stipulation, received possession of Atarneus as a recompense. The Persians, to whom Pactyas was surrendered, kept him in custody, intending to deliver him up to Cyrus. Of his subsequent fate we hear nothing. (Hdt. 1.153_160; Paus. 4.35.10.)

[C.P.M]