Mania or Manya ( grc, Μανία;Xenophon, Hellenica, 3.1
/ref> c. 440 BC – c. 399 BC), known primarily through

Xenophon Xenophon of Athens (; grc, wikt:Ξενοφῶν, Ξενοφῶν ; – probably 355 or 354 BC) was a Greek military leader, philosopher, and historian, born in Athens. At the age of 30, Xenophon was elected commander of one of the biggest Anci ...

, was a Dardanian sub-

satrap A satrap () was a governor of the provinces of the ancient Median and Achaemenid Empires and in several of their successors, such as in the Sasanian Empire and the Hellenistic empires. The satrap served as viceroy to the king, though with consid ...

as the

tyrant A tyrant (), in the modern English usage of the word, is an absolute ruler who is unrestrained by law, or one who has usurped a legitimate ruler's sovereignty. Often portrayed as cruel, tyrants may defend their positions by resorting to rep ...

ruler of ancient Dardanus in Asia Minor. She was the wife of Zenis, sub-

under the Persian satrap

Pharnabazus II Pharnabazus II (Old Iranian: ''Farnabāzu'', grc-gre, Φαρνάβαζος ; ruled 413-374 BC) was a Persian soldier and statesman, and Satrap of Hellespontine Phrygia. He was the son of Pharnaces II of Phrygia and grandson of Pharnabazus I ...

, and became sub-satrap herself after her husband's death. Her husband Zenis ruled Dardanus as tyrant with the support of the Persian satrap. When he died, she succeeded him as tyrant ruler. It was unusual for a woman to succeed as tyrant in a Greek city state. Like Zenis, she also needed the support of Pharnabazus II to secure her rule. According to

, she gave many gifts to Pharnabazus II and the influential members of his court when she successfully applied for his support in her succession. As ruler, Mania was known for her loyalty as sub-satrap. She fulfilled her duties as sub-satrap by paying her tributes as well as assisting Pharnabazus II's military with her army of mercenaries. She participated in campaigns against the rebellious Mysians and Pisidians, and secured Persian rule in the cities of

Larisa (Troad) Larisa ( grc, Λάρισα, Larisa), or Larissa, was an ancient Greek city in the south-west of the Troad region of Anatolia. Its surrounding territory was known in Greek as the (''Larisaia''). It has been located on a small rise by the coast no ...

, Hamaxitos and

Kolonai Kolonai ( grc, αἱ Κολωναί, hai Kolōnai; la, Colonae) was an ancient Greek city in the south-west of the Troad region of Anatolia. It has been located on a hill by the coast known as Beşiktepe ('cradle hill'), about equidistant betw ...

. She attended the battles of her mercenaries in a carriage or chariot, and was never defeated.

Polyaenus Polyaenus or Polyenus ( ; see ae (æ) vs. e; grc-gre, Πoλύαινoς, Polyainos, "much-praised") was a 2nd-century CE Greek author, known best for his ''Stratagems in War'' ( grc-gre, Στρατηγήματα, Strategemata), which has been pr ...

, following Xenophon, describes her as an excellent general. Mania was described with admiration by contemporary male Greek chronicles. Her relationship with Pharnabazus II was very good, and Xenophon writes that he asked for her opinion on political issues. She, as well as her seventeen-year-old son, were both murdered by her son-in-law Meidias.Polyaenus: Stratagems - BOOK 8, Chapters 26-71, chapter 54 http://www.attalus.org/translate/polyaenus8B.html Pharnabazus II refused to support Meidias as her successor, and the citizens were reportedly unwilling to accept him as such. Shortly after the murder, the city surrendered to the Spartan General

Dercylidas Dercylidas (Greek: Δερκυλίδας) was a Spartan commander during the 5th and 4th century BC. For his cunning and inventiveness, he was nicknamed Sisyphus. In 411 BC he was appointed harmost at Abydos. In 399 BC, he was advised by Antisthen ...

References

Year of birth unknown Year of death unknown 4th-century BC deaths 4th-century BC women rulers 5th-century BC births Achaemenid Anatolia Ancient murder victims Satraps of the Achaemenid Empire Women in ancient Near Eastern warfare Women in ancient European warfare Ancient Greek tyrants {{Achaemenid-bio-stub