Editing Bessus (section)

== Career ==
Nothing is known about the background of Bessus, except that he belonged to the ruling [[Achaemenid dynasty]].{{sfn|Briant|2002|p=871}}{{sfn|Weiskopf|1989|pp=174–175}} During the reign of the [[King of Kings]] [[Darius III]] ({{reign|336|330|era=BC}}), Bessus was made the [[satrap]] of [[Bactria]], an important satrapy in the eastern part of the empire.{{sfn|Weiskopf|1989|pp=174–175}} Bactria, which had been under [[Achaemenid Empire|Achaemenid]] rule since 545–540 BC, was prosperous and populous. As shown by archaeological findings, agriculture, trade, commerce and handicraft thrived in the area.{{sfn|Olbrycht|2021|p=45}} The office of satrap of Bactria seems to have occasionally been equivalent to a "vice-king of the east" type of position.{{sfn|Stark|2021|p=702}}

As the satrap of Bactria, Bessus was able to exert his rule over [[Sogdia]] to the north, and regions that bordered [[History of India|India]]. He managed to retain the loyalty of the [[Iranian peoples|Iranian]] nomadic groups in [[Central Asia]], the [[Saka]], the [[Dahae]] and the [[Massagetae]].{{sfn|Weiskopf|1989|pp=174–175}} According to the [[Iranologist]] [[Richard Foltz]], the eastern satrapies were practically Bessus' personal domain.{{sfn|Foltz|2019|p=35}} Following the Persian defeat at the [[Battle of Issus]] against the [[Macedonia (ancient kingdom)|Macedonian]] king [[Alexander the Great]] ({{reign|336|323|era=BC}}) in 333 BC, Darius III summoned Bessus to aid him.{{sfn|Heckel|2006|p=71}}

Bessus later took part in the [[Battle of Gaugamela]] against Alexander in 331 BC, where he supplied Darius III with a contingent composed of Bactrians, Sogdians, Indians, as well as his [[Saka]] allies.<ref>Arrian, [https://penelope.uchicago.edu/Thayer/E/Roman/Texts/Strabo/11I*.html Chapter VIII].</ref>{{sfn|Weiskopf|1989|pp=174–175}} He led the cavalry on the left wing of the Persian forces, with the intention of crippling Alexander's attack on that flank. Following the Persian defeat at the battle, Bessus followed Darius III in his flight to the city of [[Ecbatana]] in [[Media (region)|Media]]. There Bessus conspired against Darius III with other Persian grandees, such as the [[chiliarch]] [[Nabarzanes]], and [[Barsaentes]], the satrap of [[Arachosia]]–[[Drangiana]].{{sfn|Heckel|2006|p=71}}{{sfn|Weiskopf|1989|pp=174–175}} Together they arrested Darius III in mid-330 BC, with Bessus being chosen as the leader of the Achaemenid forces, probably due to his Achaemenid descent.{{sfn|Heckel|2006|p=71}} The arrest of Darius III gave Alexander the [[pretext]] of avenging him. Fleeing from the pursuing Macedonian forces, Bessus and the rebels carried Darius III in a covered wagon, reportedly in golden chains. In order to buy some time for their escape, Bessus and his co-conspirators killed Darius III and left his body by the road.{{sfn|Heckel|2020|p=164}} The murder took place near [[Hecatompylus]], in July 330 BC. Darius III's body was later found by Alexander, who had him buried in the royal crypt in [[Persepolis]].{{sfn|Binder|2021|p=469}}{{sfn|EIr.|1994|pp=51–54}}