Memnon of Rhodes
Memnon | |
|---|---|
Coinage of Memnon of Rhodes, Mysia. Mid 4th century BC | |
| Native name | Μέμνων |
| Born | c. 380 BC |
| Died | summer, 333 BC (aged c. 47) |
| Allegiance | Achaemenid Empire |
| Service years | 339 - 333 BC |
| Conflicts | Battle of the Granicus Siege of Halicarnassus |
| Spouse | Barsine (c. 340 BC) |
Memnon of Rhodes (Greek: Μέμνων ὁ Ῥόδιος; c. 380 – 333 BC) was a prominent Rhodian Greek commander in the service of the Achaemenid Empire. Related to the Persian aristocracy by the marriage of his sister to the satrap Artabazus II, together with his brother Mentor he served the Persian king for most of his life, and played an important role in the empire's defence during the invasion of Alexander the Great, in particular at the Siege of Halicarnassus, and even the decades before that.
Carl Otis Schuster notes that though often inaccurately described as "simply a mercenary", Memnon was arguably the toughest defender of the Persian Empire Alexander had to face, and was nearly successful in putting a halt to him.