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The Cadusian Campaign was a military campaign
of King Artaxerxes II
of Persia in 385 against the Cadusii. The origins of the campaign are not
attested in historical sources, but it was probably in response to a revolt of
the Cadusii and the refusal of paying tribute. The Cadusii people lived in a
mountainous district of Media Atropatene on the south-west shores of the
Caspian Sea, between the parallels of 39° and 37° North latitude,
called for its inhabitants Cadusia. This district was probably bounded on the
North by the river Cyrus (today Kura, in Azerbaijan, historically known as
Arran and Caucasian Albania), and on the South by the river Mardus (today Sefid
River), and corresponds with the modern Iranian provinces of Gilan and Ardabil.
They are described by Strabo as a warlike tribe of mountaineers, fighting
chiefly on foot, and well skilled in the use of the short spear or javelin.
Artaxerxes organized an expedition that, according to Plutarch, consisted of
300,000 infantry soldiers and 10,000 cavalry soldiers. He commanded the
expedition in person and among the officers accompanying him were Tiribazus and
Datames. Advancing inside enemy territory, it didn't take long before the army
started to suffer from starvation. The mountainous terrain offered little food
but some pears, apples, and other tree-fruits insufficient to feed such a host
of fighting men. The army was reduced to eating their own beasts of burden
first and later their own cavalry mounts. Tiribazus found a solution to resolve
the campaign and save the King's army. He knew that the Cadusii were divided
between two rival chiefs so he sent his son to negotiate with one while he
negotiated with the other. Both Tiribazus and his son convinced the Cadusii
chiefs that the other had sent envoys to the Persian King and sought an
advantageous peace.
Neither of the two chiefs wanting to be outmaneuvered by their rival, they
submitted to Artaxerxes. With the successful negotiations concluded the army
retreated, ending the campaign.
Opponents: Achaemenid Empire versus Cadusii
Commanders and leaders:
Persians - Artaxerxes II of Persia Tiribazus Datames
Caudsii - unknown
Strength:
Persians - 300,000 infantry 10,000 cavalry
Cadusii - unknown
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