Editing Cilicia (section)

===== Submission to the Achaemenid Empire =====
In the mid-6th century BC, the kingdom of Cilicia supported the founding king of the [[Persians|Persian]] [[Achaemenid Empire]], [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus II]], in his wars against Croesus of Lydia,{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}} as a consequence of which Cilicia became a vassal of the Achaemenid empire as from {{c.|542 BC}},{{sfn|Bryce|2009|p=165}} and the Cilician rulers became part of the Achaemenid administration.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}

Under early Achaemenid rule, Cilicia maintained a significant degree of autonomy{{sfn|Bryce|2009|p=165}} and the native rulers acted as [[satrap]]s (governors) for the Achaemenid administration, with their authority extending until as far west as [[Aspendus]].{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}

Cilicia during the Achaemenid period was inhabited by tribal populations who were led by native chieftains, and it contained fortified strongholds protecting its agricultural land and its inhabitants, as well as various native and Persian cities and towns.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}

Nevertheless, the western pert of Cilicia, corresponding to the later Graeco-Roman Rough Cilicia, probably remained independent of Persian rule and of the administration of the satrap of Tarsus except for the narrow strip of flat land along its coast, due to which the imperial authorities often led repressive measures against these inhabitants of the hilly regions.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}{{sfn|Bryce|2009|p=165}}

During the reign of the Achaemenid king of kings [[Darius the Great|Darius I]], Cilicia was used as an assembly point for the military forces which [[Mardonius (nephew of Darius I)|Mardonius]] used to campaign in Europe as well as those which [[Datis]] and [[Artaphernes (nephew of Darius I)|Artaphernes]] used to campaign against both the Asian and European Greeks.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}

Under Darius I's successor, [[Xerxes I]], Cilicia contributed both troops and ships for the Achaemenid conquest of the Aegean Sea: the Cilician ruler Syennesis II led these ships, but was killed in battle. At this time, the ruling dynasty of Cilicia had been linked by marriage bonds with Carian notables.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}

Syennesis II was succeeded by one Xeinagoras of Halicarnassus, who had no previous ties to Cilicia and was appointed as satrap of Cilicia by Xerxes I as reward for his service.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}

Cilicia remained under efficient administration, and it would continue to provide troops for the Achaemenid wars in Anatolia, Egypt and Cyprus.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1991}}

{{Infobox Former Subdivision
| common_name            = Achaemenid Cilicia
| capital                = [[Tarsus, Mersin|Tarsus]]
| era                    = [[Achaemenid era]]
| subdivision            = [[Satrapy]]
| nation                 = the [[Achaemenid Empire]]
| image_map              = File:Western part of the Achaemenid Empire.jpg
| image_map_caption      = Cilicia was located in the western part of the Achaemenid Empire, in south-east Anatolia.
| image_flag             = Standard of Cyrus the Great (White).svg
| flag                   = Flags of Persia
| flag_type              = Standard of Cyrus the Great
| year_start             = {{c.|542 BC}}
| year_end               = 333 BC
| p1                     = Cilicia#Kingdom of Cilicia{{!}}Kingdom of Cilicia
| s1                     = Macedonian Empire
| government_type        = [[Monarchy]]
| title_leader           = [[King of Kings]]
| title_deputy           = [[Satrap]]
| event_start            = Cyrus II's conquest of Babylon
| event_end              = Macedonian conquest of the Achaemenid Empire
| deputy1                = Syennesis II
| year_deputy1           = {{c.|480 BC}}
| deputy2                = Xeinagoras of Halicarnassus
| year_deputy2           = {{c.|470s BC}}
| deputy3                = [[Syennesis (5th century)|Syennesis III]]
| year_deputy3           = {{c.|401 BC}}
| deputy4                = [[Camisares]]
| year_deputy4           = {{c.|390s}} - {{c.|385 BC}}
| deputy5                = [[Datames]]
| year_deputy5           = {{c.|385}} - {{c.|362 BC}}
| deputy6                = [[Mazaeus]]
| year_deputy6           = {{c.|340s}} - 333 BC
| leader1                = [[Artaxerxes II]]
| year_leader1           = 405–358 BC
| leader2                = [[Artaxerxes III]]
| year_leader2           = 358–338 BC
| leader3                = [[Arses]]
| year_leader3           = 338–336 BC
| leader4                = [[Darius III]]
| year_leader4           = 336–330 BC
| native_name            = Achaemenid Cilicia
| today                  = [[Turkey]]
| flag_s1                = Vergina Sun WIPO.svg
}}