Megabates was a Persian general and admiral in the
late
sixth century BC and early
fifth century BC. He is most notable
under the writings of
Herodotus for his
joint participation in the failed
499 BC
siege of Naxos.
He was sent by Darius the Great alongside Aristagoras and 200 ships to annex the small
Aegean
Sea
island to the growing Persian Empire.
According to one school of thought, it was in fact Megabates who
forwarned the Naxians of the ensuing Persian siege.
As a result, Naxos
gathered supplies and fortified their city to
withstand the four month-long siege. It is believed that
Megabates' rationale was to shame Aristagoras in the Persian court,
for they were earlier during the sail involved in a dispute.
Sources