Pharnabāzus
(
Φαρνάβαζος). The son of Pharnaces, succeeding his father
as satrap of the Persian provinces near the Hellespont. In B.C. 411 and the following years he
rendered active assistance to the Lacedaemonians in their war against the Athenians. When
Dercyllidas and, subsequently, Agesilaüs passed over into Asia to protect Asiatic
Greeks against the Persian power, we find Pharnabazus connecting himself with Conon to resist
the Lacedaemonians. In 374 Pharnabazus invaded Egypt in conjunction with Iphicrates; but the
expedition failed, chiefly through the dilatory proceedings and the excessive caution of
Pharnabazus. The character of Pharnabazus is eminently distinguished by generosity and
openness. He has been charged, it is true, with the murder of Alcibiades; but the latter
probably fell by the hands of others. See
Alcibiades.