View source for Memnon of Rhodes

'''Memnon of Rhodes''' ([[380 BC|380]] &ndash; [[333 BC]]) was the commander of the [[Greece|Greek]] mercenaries working for the [[Persian Empire|Persian]] king [[Darius III]] when [[Alexander the Great]] of [[Macedon|Macedonia]] invaded Persia in [[334 BC]] and won the [[Battle of the Granicus River]]. He was the only one to declare, prior to the battle, that it was impossible for the Persians to defeat the Macedonian army in a set-piece confrontation, and called for a strategy of scorched earth that would deny Alexander both supplies and treasure, both of which they badly needed to feed and pay the army.  This advice was rejected by the Persian satraps and history was the result.

Many scholars maintain that had Memnon's advice been taken, Alexander would have had an immensely difficult time continuing his campaign in Asia, and might have soon been forced to withdraw back to [[Macedon]]. Memnon also suggested trying to stir up a revolt in Greece itself, threatening Alexander's base of power and perhaps forcing him to withdraw. It was not until the major defeat at the [[Battle of Issus]] that this admirable approach to the Macedonian invasion was finally put into action, but by then the advantage had been lost, and Alexander showed himself willing to sacrifice Greece if necessary by then if he still felt he could accomplish his greater goals.

Memnon died during the siege of [[Mytilene]] in August 333.  Cause of death was unknown.

==Family==

Memnon was the son of [[Timocrates of Rhodes]], the brother of [[Mentor of Rhodes]], brother-in-law of [[Artabazus of Phrygia]], and husband and uncle of [[Barsine]], Artabazus' daughter and Alexander the Great's mistress.

Memnon of Rhodes is the subject of a work of historical fiction, ''Memnon'' ISBN 1-932815-39-2 by Scott Oden

==External links==
*[http://www.livius.org/mea-mem/memnon/memnon.html Memnon of Rhodes] from Livius.org, by Jona Lendering
*[http://www.ancientlibrary.com/smith-bio/2136.html Memnon (1)] from Smith, ''Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography''
*[http://www.ancientlibrary.com/wcd/Memnon_of_Rhodes Wiki Classical Dictionary: Memnon of Rhodes]

{{Credit wikipedia}}

[[Category:380 BC births]]
[[Category:333 BC deaths]]
[[Category:Ancient Greek generals]]
[[Category:Alexander the Great]]