Histiaeus

  • Histiaeus (d.494 BCE) was the Tyrant of Miletus, appointed by Darius I, King of Persia. Histiaeus was the son of Lysagoras.
  • Histiaeus is famous for the story of the Tattoo on the back of the head

The Tattoo on the Back of the Head

  • The Expedition against the Scythians
    • Histiaeus and the other Tyrants were taken with Darius’ army to conduct an attack on the Scythians.
    • Darius I had a bridge built over the Danube, so that his armies could enter Scythian territory.
    • Histiaeus was left behind to guard the bridge, along with Miltiades of Athens, another Tyrant from Chersonesus.
  • The Scythians’ Plan
    • The Scythians sent a message to Histiaeus and Miltiades, and the other Tyrants, that they rebel against Darius I, and leave the bridge undefended, leaving the Persian armies trapped.
    • Miltiades wanted to cooperate with the Scythians, but Histiaeus thought the plan too dangerous.
  • Histiaeus’ Plan
    • Histiaeus instead, came up with a plan to deceive the Scythians. The Tyrants would destroy the bridge, whilst Histiaeus was sent as an ambassador to confirm their cooperation. He then successfully persuaded the Scythians to hunt down the Persian army. Histiaeus meanwhile built the town of Myrcinus at a strategic point, whilst he awaited the outcome of the Expedition.
    • Whilst the Scythians were away searching for the Persian army, the Persians returned, and were transported by the fleet Histiaeus had prepared across the Danube. They were then able to destroy the Scythian army.
  • Darius places his trust in Histiaeus
    • Darius I then brought Histiaeus back to Susa, to act as a trusted advisor. Miletus was left under the control of Histiaeus’ nephew, Aristagorus.
  • Secret message tattooed on the back of the head
    • Histiaeus shaved the head of his most loyal slave and tattooed the instructions for a revolt in Miletus. When the hair had grown over the tattoo, the slave was sent to Aristagorus, who shaved his head, read the instructions and started the Revolt.
    • Darius I summoned Histiaeus, who proclaimed his innocence, and requested he be sent to quell the Revolt. Darius I agreed. On his way, Histiaeus stopped at Sardis, but the Persian Commander, suspecting his disloyalty, tried to arrest him. Histiaeus escaped to Chios, and unsuccessfully attempted to assemble a fleet. He arrived in Miletus, only to be exiled to Lesbos.
  • Death of Histiaeus
    • In 494 BCE, a Revolt in Ionia was defeated by the Persian army at the Battle of Lade. Histiaeus then attacked Chios, besieged Thasos, and united with a Greek army to attack the Persians. He was defeated, captured and promptly executed by the Persian Commander.
    • The commander wanted to avoid Histiaeus being returned to Darius I at Susa and be pardoned again. Instead, Histiaeus’ head was sent to Darius I, who refused to believe he was disloyal, and gave the head a burial with full honours.

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