PERSIA, Alexandrine Empire. Mazaios, satrap of Babylon, circa 331-328 BC. Double Daric (Gold, 22 mm, 17.10 g, 1 h), Babylon. Baal seated left on backless throne, his body turned to front, holding an eagle, a grain ear and a vine branch with a bunch of grapes in his right hand, and long scepter in his left. Rev. Lion attacking collapsed bull to left, biting into its neck; all within linear square. F. Holt & O. Bopearachchi, The Alexander Medallion, 2011, note 106 and figs. 51-2 var. = Miho Museum, Treasures of Ancient Bactria, 2002, 44 a-b var. (reverse type right). Ira & Larry Goldberg 67 (2012), 3215 (same obverse die). Triton X (2007), 412 (same obverse die). Very rare. Very well centered on an unusually large flan, with a beautiful reverse. Struck from somewhat worn dies with a reverse die break, otherwise, about very fine.



Mazaios was a prominent member of the Persian aristocracy, likely a descendant of Hydarnes, who helped Dareios I ascend to the throne. He initially served as satrap of Cilicia and later took on the role of satrap of Syria. In the decisive Battle of Gaugamela in 331 BC, Mazaios commanded the right wing with such success that he was able to plunder the Macedonian camp, prompting Parmenion to send a desperate request for help to Alexander, who had to abandon his pursuit of Dareios III. Following the ultimate defeat, Mazaios withdrew to Babylon, where he surrendered the city to Alexander without resistance. In return, the king appointed him as satrap of Babylon, a position he held until his death in 328 BC.

Mazaios played a crucial role during the early phase of the transition from Persian to Macedonian rule in the region. His cooperation with Alexander and his appointment as satrap of Babylon underscore how Alexander increasingly relied on Persian administration and elites as he expanded further east, which led to him sometimes being referred to as 'the last Achaemenid'.

Our remarkable gold Double Daric was minted between 331 and 328 BC, while Mazaios was satrap of Babylon. The coin features a seated Baal on the obverse and a lion attacking a bull on the reverse - coin types that recall Mazaios’ earlier career as satrap of Cilicia, as they were directly derived from his Achaemenid-era coins minted in Tarsos. The context for this issue remains uncertain. Notably, it lacks any references to Alexander or the Macedonian Empire. This suggests it may have been a local emergency issue, with Mazaios borrowing Tarsos' coin designs to maintain a sense of personal identity. However, unlike in Persian times, he refrained from inscribing his name, likely to avoid any conflict with Alexander.

These coins thus reflect the difficult position of a former Persian satrap navigating his role in the newly Macedonian-dominated world of Alexander's emerging empire, balancing Achaemenid traditions with personal customs while avoiding antagonizing his new king. A similar dynamic can be observed in the Athenian owl imitations by Mazakes, which are personalized only by his unique symbol (see lot 1432 below). Overall, Mazaios' coinage in Babylon provides a fascinating glimpse into a transitional period where Persian traditions merged with the evolving political realities under Alexander.