Fratafern

It is known that Fratafern joined his troops to the army of Darius III shortly before the battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC. e. After the defeat of the Persian king accompanied him in his flight. After the assassination of Darius III initiated by Bess, Fratafern, along with some other royal cronies, surrendered to Alexander the Great and was warmly received by him.

In 329 BC e. Fratafern , together with Erigius , Karan and Artabaz, participated in suppressing the rebellion of the Aryans led by Satibarzan , while Tsar Alexander with the main forces pursued the retreating Bess.

In the winter of 328/327 BC e., during the stay of the Macedonian army in Sogdiana , Fratafern was sent by Alexander to pacify the uprising of the Mardis and Tapurs under the leadership of Fradat . This order was successfully completed by him.

Soon after the defeat of the Raja Pora, Fratafern arrived in India with an army of Thracians left with him. However, apparently, he soon returned, as he sent his son Fradasman with a large caravan of provisions to supply the Macedonian army , returning through the desert of Gedrosia .

After the death of Alexander the Great during the first distribution of the provinces, Fratafern retained power in his satrapies . However, apparently, by the time of the second section in Tryparadis (321 BC), Fratafern had died, since his name was no longer mentioned in the sources , and Parthius was taken over by Philip , the former ruler of Sogdiana.

Primary sources

• Arrian Anabasis Alexandra (III.8.4, III.23.4, III.28.2, IV.7,1, IV.18.1-2, V.20.7, VI.27.3 and 6, VII.6.4.)
• Diodorus of Sicily . Historical Library (XVIII.3.3.)
• Quintus Curtius Rufus . History of Alexander the Great (VI.4.23, VIII.3.17, IX.10.17.)

Research

• Smith W. Phratapiiernes // Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology . Boston 1867
• Badian E. Phrataphernes // Encyclopædia Iranica . 2015