Artaxerxes III's Campaign Against Sidon

Artaxerxes III's campaign against Sidon was marked by a significant military mobilization, with the Persian king personally leading an army of 330,000 men. This force included 300,000 infantry, 30,000 cavalry, and a naval contingent of 300 triremes along with 500 transport ships. The campaign aimed to reassert Persian control over Sidon, a city that had previously enjoyed a degree of autonomy. Despite seeking assistance from Greek city-states, including Athens and Sparta, Artaxerxes was met with refusal. This lack of support did not deter him from proceeding with his plans. The Sidonese king, Tennes, initially resisted but ultimately surrendered to the overwhelming Persian forces. Following the surrender, a brutal response ensued, resulting in the massacre of Sidonian citizens and the destruction of the city itself. This campaign not only demonstrated the military might of the Persian Empire but also served as a warning to other city-states regarding the consequences of defiance against Persian authority. The fall of Sidon had lasting implications for the region, as it solidified Persian dominance and altered the balance of power in the eastern Mediterranean.