Gobryas (general)

Gobryas (Old Persian Gaubaruva): name of one of the generals of king Cyrus the Great.

Achaemenid nobleman
Achaemenid nobleman

Gobryas played an important role in the Persian capture of Babylon in October 539 BCE. According to the Chronicle of Nabonidus (year seventeen), he was governor of Gutium and the first to enter the conquered capital of the Babylonians, where he arrested the last king of Babylonia, Nabonidus and appointed several officials. He died a few weeks later, on 4 March 538. His successor was Nabû-ahhe-bullit, who may - to judge from his name - have been a Babylonian.

There are several documents which are dated to his governorship, including a confusing letter dated in the last days of 535 BCE. This letter suggests that Nabû-achche-bullit was succeeded by another governor named Gobryas.

This page was created in 1996; last modified on 27 April 2019.