Gadatas

Gadatas (Ancient Greek: Γαδάτας) was a 6th-century BC Assyrian provencial governor (or satrap) who, according to Xenophon's Cyropaedia, defected to Cyrus the Great. His defection was motivated by a desire for revenge; the Assyrian king had made him a eunuch because one of the king's concubines had shown romantic interest in him, owing to his good looks.[1][2]

Gadatas had helped Cyrus by secretly handing over a strategically important fortress. In response, the Assyrian king, Nabonidus, invaded Gadatas' province. Cyrus quickly came to his aid and rescued Gadatas and his troops.[1][2] Fearing further retaliation from the Assyrians, Gadatas abandoned his province and joined Cyrus's army where his familiarity with the region made him a valuable asset.[1][2] Later, during the capture of Babylon, Gadatas, along with the Persian general Gobryas, was recorded as killing the Assyrian king (although it might have been Belshazzar rather than Nabonidus).[1][2]

The 12th-century Byzantine poet, John Tzetzes, also wrote about the life of Gadatas.[3]

References

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