Sabaces

Who is Sabaces?

Sabaces was a satrap of Egypt during the reign of king Darius III of Persia.

Some time before the Battle of Issus Sabaces left Egypt with his army to join Darius III in Syria and support him in his fight against Alexander the Great. When the Battle of Issus took place Alexander and his horsemen fought their way through the enemy troops until they came in close vicinity to Darius III, whose life was therefore threatened. Darius III was protected by the most noble Persians, among them also Sabaces, who was killed. The Persian king fled because he feared for his life; therefore the Macedonians won the battle.

Mazaces was probably the successor of Sabaces in Egypt but because Sabaces had taken with him nearly all occupying forces, Mazaces was not able to organize military resistance against the Macedonians. So Alexander the Great could take Egypt without fighting.