Mediterranean Hegemon of Ancient Greece Chapter 1202: Governor of Phrygia

The reason this naval commander, exiled by the Athenian populace, was entrusted with such authority in Phrygia was not just his talent for naval warfare, but also his close friendship with Ariobarzanes, the governor of Phrygia.

How had a destitute, wandering Athenian become friends with an esteemed Persian governor?

The answer stretched back decades. Following the Peloponnesian War, the renowned Athenian naval commander Conon fled to Persia. Received with great courtesy by Cyrus the Younger—then the military commander of western Asia Minor—Conon settled there. He mingled closely with the local Persian nobility, laying the groundwork for his eventual appointment as commander of the Persian Asia Minor Fleet.

His son Timotheus, having lived in western Asia Minor for years, befriended many young Persian nobles, including Ariobarzanes. Even after Timotheus returned to Athens, the two kept in frequent contact. When Athens banished him, his first thought was to seek refuge with his old friend, who had since become a governor.

Ariobarzanes was thrilled by his friend's arrival. Knowing Timotheus's capabilities intimately, the governor took the bold step of promoting him to fleet commander just six months later.

Today, Ariobarzanes sent a messenger to summon Timotheus, saying there was an important matter to discuss. Although the messenger had not elaborated, Timotheus had a gut feeling that this concerned the request he had been pushing for. Anxious for an answer, he rode in haste toward the governor's estate in Phrygia.

The governor's residence was located in Gordium, the central town of Phrygia situated on the right bank of the Sakarya River. Riding three horses to exhaustion, Timotheus finally arrived at dusk on the fifth day.

Having received word from the messenger, Ariobarzanes stepped out to welcome him personally. He said earnestly, "Timotheus, I am so sorry! I just severely punished the messenger I sent to you. He entirely misunderstood my orders and failed to explain things clearly. This matter isn't actually urgent, yet his clumsiness had you rushing all this way with barely a moment of rest. If anything had happened to you on the road, I would never have forgiven myself. Thank the god Mazda you are safe!"

Touched by the genuine concern, Timotheus hurriedly bowed. "Lord Governor—"

Since the Athenians despised bowing and scraping, this suited Timotheus perfectly. He corrected himself without missing a beat. "Ario, what did you summon me for?"

Ariobarzanes laughed, gripping his arm to lead him into the estate. "The messenger might have blundered, but I am thrilled to see you so soon! You must be exhausted and starving after your journey. Go bathe first, then we'll eat and catch up over dinner."

After bathing with the assistance of the maidservants, Timotheus sat down to eat, giving Ariobarzanes a brief update on his time taking command of the Phrygian Fleet.

Ariobarzanes listened intently, expressing his satisfaction with Timotheus's work in Aspendos. The governor then steered the conversation toward amusing escapades from their younger days.

Timotheus chipped in from time to time. Even though there were only the two of them in the dining hall, aside from half a dozen maids, the atmosphere remained lively.

Once they had eaten their fill and shared a few rounds of wine, Ariobarzanes finally grew serious. "Timotheus, last time we spoke, you mentioned wanting to lead the fleet to reinforce Athens in their naval war against Daionia... I cannot agree to that request."

A wave of disappointment washed over Timotheus. Though he did not let it show, he lapsed into immediate silence.

Taking note of this, Ariobarzanes unhurriedly pulled a letter from his robes and handed it over. "Read this first."

Baffled, Timotheus took the letter and unrolled it. His expression shifted rapidly. "The King of Persia plans to invade Egypt? He demands you provide troops and supplies—and explicitly named me to lead the fleet to Tyre?!"

Ariobarzanes sighed. "When you first made your request, my hesitation wasn't out of stinginess. The King of Persia has been plotting to invade Egypt. If I had agreed to your request and sent the fleet to Athens, that king, given his suspicious and vindictive nature, would have assumed I was unwilling to provide military support and deliberately fabricated an excuse. He would never have let it go..."

"Alas! Ever since Prince Cyrus failed, that king has held a grudge against Asia Minor... When Sparta invaded our lands, he offered no help, and even ended up supporting Sparta's rule over Greece. In every internal war since, Asia Minor has been forced to bleed the most, and naturally, suffer the heaviest losses..."

Hearing this, any lingering dissatisfaction in Timotheus's heart vanished, replaced by guilt. He said earnestly, "Ario, Athens cast me out, yet you not only took me in but entrusted me with heavy responsibilities. I am already profoundly grateful! I never should have made such a request and put you in a difficult position. This is my fault!"

Ariobarzanes shook his head and said helplessly, "Athens banished you, yet you still seek to aid them. I truly admire that! It is simply unfortunate timing. Otherwise, if Lord Pharnabazus could do what he did back then (to avenge Agesilaus's ravaging of western Asia Minor, Pharnabazus persuaded the provincial governors of Asia Minor to let Conon lead the western Asia Minor Combined Fleet against Sparta, and ultimately turned a blind eye when Conon privately folded those Warships into the Athenian navy), then given our friendship, I would have gladly offered you the same support!"

Cursing his terrible luck, Timotheus sat in silence for a moment before taking a deep swallow of wine. Then, frowning in confusion, he asked, "I've never even met the King of Persia. Why would he single me out in his letter?"

Ariobarzanes smiled and said, "Timotheus, you underestimate yourself. Your brilliant performance against Sparta has proven to the world that you are an exceptional naval commander, easily your father's equal. I am sure that king, who has been closely monitoring the Greek War, undoubtedly learned your name because of it. You must understand, Persia may be mighty, but we sorely lack capable naval commanders. We wouldn't have lost so many naval engagements to Greece otherwise. And while Egypt's naval strength isn't particularly formidable—"

Ariobarzanes let out a cold laugh. "—that king has suffered several bitter defeats in his previous wars. By personally leading this campaign against Egypt, he is absolutely determined not to fail again. Naturally, he wants to select a capable naval commander to back him up... Regardless, this is a good thing for you. If you can win that king's favor, you might just be able to petition him to let you lead the entire Persian navy to come to the aid of Greece and fight Daionia."

Timotheus's heart skipped a beat. In that instant, he decided to go to Tyre.

Ariobarzanes clearly saw his change of heart and continued, "Timotheus, if you intend to accept that king's invitation, could you do me two small favors?"

"Ario, you are too polite. Ever since I left Athens for Phrygia, you have taken wonderful care of me. I've been agonizing over how to repay you. Don't speak of two favors—even if it were a hundred, as long as it's within my power, I will do my utmost to help you!"

"Good, then I'll be blunt! I spent several years of Phrygia's tax revenues just to scrape this fleet together. If you are placed in a position of heavy responsibility by that king, I hope you will do everything you can to preserve my Warships during the war against Egypt."

Timotheus gave a firm nod. "Rest assured, I will do my absolute best!"

"The second favor is... Once you are serving under that king and involved in the campaign against Egypt, could you... regularly write to tell me the detailed movements of the entire army? You know... well, Phrygia conducts a great deal of trade with Egypt. I need to make certain decisions based on how the war develops, so the Phrygian merchants still in certain Egyptian towns can either evacuate early or simply seize the opportunity to snatch up vital supplies and ores there..."

Timotheus hesitated slightly before replying. "I will write to you, but once I reach Phoenicia, my duties will likely be confined to the navy. I might not be very clear on the future movements of the King of Persia's army..."

"Just do your best!" Ariobarzanes beamed, raising his wine cup. "Let us drink—may all go smoothly for you in the battles to come!"

Late that night, a trusted servant of Ariobarzanes, who had been absent for quite some time, slipped quietly back into the governor's estate.

Ariobarzanes summoned him privately to his study.

"Master, fifteen days ago I arrived at Samara in Cappadocia. The governor received me in secret. I showed him the letter you wrote, as well as the letter from the Egyptian Pharaoh. This is his reply."

Ariobarzanes swiftly took the letter. After reading it, a look of joy appeared on his face.

Though intensely curious, the trusted servant tactfully asked nothing.

However, Ariobarzanes couldn't help but say, "Not only did Stridates agree to my suggestion and decide to accept the Egyptian Pharaoh's plan to join forces, but he also volunteered to persuade the governors of Paphlagonia, Lycaonia, and Armenia!"

"Master, with so many people contacted, it will be very hard to maintain secrecy!" the trusted servant warned in concern.