Stasanor (; lived 4th century BC) was a native of
Soli in
Cyprus
Cyprus (), officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Situated in West Asia, its cultural identity and geopolitical orientation are overwhelmingly Southeast European. Cyprus is the List of isl ...
, who held a distinguished position among the officers of
Alexander the Great
Alexander III of Macedon (; 20/21 July 356 BC – 10/11 June 323 BC), most commonly known as Alexander the Great, was a king of the Ancient Greece, ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia (ancient kingdom), Macedon. He succeeded his father Philip ...
.
Stasanor, officer of Alexander
Stasanor probably entered the service of Alexander after the siege of Tyre in 332 BC, but the first occasion on which his name is mentioned is during the campaign in
Bactria
Bactria (; Bactrian language, Bactrian: , ), or Bactriana, was an ancient Iranian peoples, Iranian civilization in Central Asia based in the area south of the Oxus River (modern Amu Darya) and north of the mountains of the Hindu Kush, an area ...
, when he was detached by Alexander with a strong force to reduce Arsames, the revolted
satrap
A satrap () was a governor of the provinces of the ancient Median kingdom, Median and Achaemenid Empire, Persian (Achaemenid) Empires and in several of their successors, such as in the Sasanian Empire and the Hellenistic period, Hellenistic empi ...
of
Aria
In music, an aria (, ; : , ; ''arias'' in common usage; diminutive form: arietta, ; : ariette; in English simply air (music), air) is a self-contained piece for one voice, with or without instrument (music), instrumental or orchestral accompan ...
. This service, in conjunction with
Phrataphernes, he successfully accomplished, and rejoined Alexander at
Zariaspa in the autumn of 328, bringing with him Arsames himself as a captive, as well as Barzanes, who had been appointed by
Bessus satrap of
Parthia
Parthia ( ''Parθava''; ''Parθaw''; ''Pahlaw'') is a historical region located in northeastern Greater Iran. It was conquered and subjugated by the empire of the Medes during the 7th century BC, was incorporated into the subsequent Achaemeni ...
.
Stasanor the Satrap
As a reward for this exploit Stasanor obtained the satrapy of Aria, which was, however, soon after changed for that of
Drangiana, in the command of which he remained during the whole of Alexander's campaign in
India
India, officially the Republic of India, is a country in South Asia. It is the List of countries and dependencies by area, seventh-largest country by area; the List of countries by population (United Nations), most populous country since ...
. On the king's return, Stasanor was one of those who met him in
Carmania with a very opportune supply of camels and other beasts of burden, but returned to resume the charge of his province when Alexander continued his march towards
Persis. In the first partition of the provinces after the death of Alexander in 323, Stasanor retained his former satrapy of Drangiana, but in the subsequent division at
Triparadisus in 321, he exchanged it for the more important government of Bactria and
Sogdiana.
Here Stasanor appears to have remained quiet for some years, taking no open part, so far as we are informed in the contest between
Eumenes
Eumenes (; ; ) was a Ancient Greece, Greek general, satrap, and Diadoch, Successor of Alexander the Great. He participated in the Wars of Alexander the Great, serving as Alexander's personal secretary and later on as a battlefield commander. Eume ...
and
Antigonus. After the victory of Antigonus, although Stasanor had apparently inclined in favour of Eumenes, Antigonus found it prudent to pardon him and in 316 BC, left him in the undisturbed possession of his satrapy since Stasanor had secured the attachment of the native population by the justice and moderation of his rule, and thus firmly established his power in the satrapy.
Fate
From this time Stasanor's name does not appear again in history.
Justin however explains that around 305
Seleucus
Seleucus or Seleukos (Ancient Greek: Σέλευκος) was a Macedonia (ancient kingdom), Macedonian Greek name, possibly meaning "very bright" or “very white”. It is likely related to the ancient name Zaleucus (Ancient Greek language, Ancient ...
attacked and conquered Bactria, probably in a conflict with Stasanor or possibly his successor:
:Seleucos made many wars in the Orient after the division of the Macedonian kingdom between allies. At the beginning, he took Babylon; from there, his strengths increased by victory, he took over the Bactrians. He then went to India, which, after the death of Alexander, had assassinated his prefects, as if shaking the burden of servitude. Justin XV.4
["Multa in Oriente post diuisionem inter socios regni Macedonici bella gessit. 11 Principio Babyloniam cepit; inde auctis ex uictoria uiribus Bactrianos expugnauit. 12 Transitum deinde in Indiam fecit, quae post mortem Alexandri, ueluti ceruicibus iugo seruitutis excusso, praefectos eius occiderat." ]
See also
*
Stasander, another Cypriot general of Alexander the Great from Soli
References
*
Smith, William (editor); ''
Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology
The ''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology'' is a biographical dictionary of classical antiquity, edited by William Smith (lexicographer), William Smith and originally published in London by John Taylor (English publisher), Tayl ...
'', ,
Boston
Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...
, (1867)
Notes
{{Hellenistic satraps
Ancient Greek generals
Generals of Alexander the Great
Ancient Cypriots
Satraps of the Alexandrian Empire
4th-century BC Greek people
Year of birth unknown
Year of death unknown