Mascames


Mascames was a Persian official and military commander, who flourished during the reign of Xerxes I. He was the son of Megadostes, and was appointed governor of Doriscus in 480 BC by Xerxes I, succeeding the governor who had been appointed by Darius the Great. According to Herodotus, Mascames resisted all Greek attacks following the Second Persian invasion of Greece, and remained thus known as the only remaining Persian governor in Europe. Though the Greeks managed to clear other Persian garrisons in Europe, such as Eion, they were unable to take Doriscus from Mascames, which irked the Athenian military.
As no one managed to dislodge him, Mascames was highly honored by Xerxes I and received annual gifts from him for his bravery. Mascames's descendants continued to receive gifts from Xerxes I's successor, Artaxerxes I.
According to Antigoni Zournatzi, Mascames may have been recalled from Doriscus by ca. 465 BC. The Achaemenid ruler probably recalled Mascames with his garrison around that date, and finally abandoned Doriscus.
Miroslav Ivanov Vasilev states that Mascames may have died by 465 BC.