ACHAEMENIDS AND EASTERN GREEK TYRANTS: POLITICAL STATUS AND RELATIONSHIPS (546-480 BCE)
The article deals with the problem of relations between the kings of the Achaemenid dynasty and tyrants of Ionia since its conquest by the Persians in 546 BCE and until the end of the Ionian revolt. The author argues in favor of non-interference of the Persians into the internal political developments of the Ionian communities in the second half of the sixth century BCE and the absence of a systematic Persian policy of "planting" tyrannies in the city-states of Ionia. However, the personal relationship between some of the Ionian tyrants and Persian kings facilitated the strengthening of tyrannical power in the Ionian poleis, especially in Miletus. That led to increasing of internal tensions in the Ionian states and prepared the grounds for an uprising against the Persians.