Thymondas

Early Life and Family

Thymondas was born either in 351 or 349 BC, to Mentor of Rhodes and Barsina. His youth is not well documented.

Career

Thymondas served as a Greek general in the service of the Persians under Darius III. He was sent by Darius III to Lycia as reinforcement to Pharnabaze to command the Persian fleet. Thymondas played a significant role at the Battle of Issus in November 333 BC, commanding the center of the Persian army and leading his mercenaries.

Hypothesis on Barsine's Role

The identity of Thymondas' mother is not explicitly mentioned on his original card, but a stele, a decree honoring either Thymondas or his father Mentor of Rhodes, suggests that Barsina may have been his mother. This hypothesis is based on the assumption that the stele refers to Thymondas.

Battle of Issus

At the Battle of Issus, Thymondas led the Persian army with distinction. After the defeat, he retreated through the mountains to Phoenicia, where he gathered a fleet and sailed to Cyprus and then Egypt, burning the ships that had brought him from Lesbos.

Background and Education

Thymondas was born into an influential family, being the son of Mentor of Rhodes. His uncle, Memnon, was a military commander who fought against the Macedonians in the Aegean Sea. After Memnon's death, Darius III sent Thymondas to Farnabaza with an important message and ordered him to lead the mercenaries under his command.

References

* Quintus Curtius Ruth described Tymond as "a valiant youth" in 334/333 BC.
* A stele, a decree honoring either Thymondas or his father Mentor of Rhodes, suggests that Barsina may have been Thymondas' mother.