Arsames

Arsames was a ruler of ancient Persia, likely a satrap or king, who lived in the 6th century BCE. He is primarily known through his inclusion in the Behistun Inscription, a trilingual inscription and a crucial source for understanding the history of the Achaemenid Empire. The inscription, commissioned by Darius the Great, lists Arsames as one of the rebels who rose up against Darius's rule shortly after his ascension to the throne.

According to the Behistun Inscription, Arsames claimed the lineage of the Achaemenids, a claim that would have given him a significant basis for challenging Darius. The inscription details how Darius, after defeating other pretenders, subsequently crushed the rebellion led by Arsames. While the inscription provides the Achaemenid perspective, offering limited details about Arsames's own narrative or the extent of his support, it establishes his role as a significant opponent during a tumultuous period of the empire's consolidation. The exact nature of his domain and the duration of his rule remain subjects of scholarly debate due to the limited primary sources available. His name suggests a connection to the Arsacid dynasty, though this is anachronistic as the Arsacids emerged much later.