page_title: Philiscus of Abydos
section_title: Military commander
hierarchical_section_title: Philiscus of Abydos / Military commander
caption_attribution_description: English: TROAS, Abydos. Circa 480-450 BC
context_page_description: Philiscus or Philiskos was a 4th-century Greek tyrant of the city of Abydos, on the Asian side of the Hellespont, and a hyparch and military commander of the Achaemenid satrap Ariobarzanes. He was sent by Ariobarzanes in 368 BCE as an Achaemenid emissary to Delphi, where the Greek cities at war between themselves had assembled for peace negotiations. Philiscus had probably been sent at the request of either Athens or Sparta, to help solve the conflicts between the Greek city-states.
context_section_description: Philiscus later played an important role as a general (hyparch) leading an army of mercenaries in Asia Minor. He led the armies of Ariobarzanes initially, and probably later on his own account after breaking ties with both Ariobarzanes and Athens and siding with the Achaemenid king, into conquering various Greek cities in the Hellespontine area. At one point, he is said to have held the whole Hellespontine area, and to have been "the greatest of hyparchs". In particular he captured the city of Perinthus. He was assassinated by Thersagoras and Execestus of Lampsacus, who were attempting to liberate their city.
  A previous tyrant of Abydos, who ruled under Darius I, is known under the name of Daphnis of Abydos. In c. 360 BC, Philiscus was succeeded by the tyrant Iphiades of Abydos.
caption: Coinage of Abydos around the time of the tyrant Philiscus. Legend ABVΔ-[H]NON, eagle standing left / Facing gorgoneion with protruding tongue, within incuse square. Circa 480-450 BC
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