Persian Satraps of Mysia Tissaphernes

Tissaphernes [ΤΙΣΣΑΦΕΡΝΗΣ], an important Persian Satrap, was one of the four generals of Artaxerxes' army in the battle at Kuxana, in which he played a decisive role in the defeat of the usurper Kyros [ΞΕΝΟΦΩΝ I, 8, 9 f]. After that victory, Tissaphernes [ΤΙΣΣΑΦΕΡΝΗΣ] commanded the troops that chased Kyros' 10'000 Greek hoplites marching north to the Black Sea. His inability to defeat these Greeks and his defeat against a Spartan Army under the command of Agesilaos lead to his execution in 395 BC. The head of Tissaphernes on this issue is one of the earliest portraits of a living human to appear on a coin.