| โ | Now fellow Greeks, some may say, โAristagoras, you gladly served the Persians for years, gaining wealth and power โ who are you to now proclaim our liberty?โ I respond: who could understand the bitter yoke of Persia better than its most decorated slave? | โ |
| —Dialogue in The Ionian Revolt | ||
Aristagoras is a cavalry hero in Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition - Chronicles: Battle for Greece. He is the main antagonist of the first act of the Battle for Greece campaign, where killing him is a recurring objective. He has a unique model. As a hero, he cannot be converted and can regenerate health.
Campaign appearances[]
Battle for Greece[]
- Greeks Bearing Gifts: Aristagoras is stationed in Miletus, awaiting Persian supplies needed for the invasion of Naxos. Afterwards, he will lead the Miletian landing on the island and the siege, before being driven back by the defenders.
- The Ionian Revolt: Aristagoras leads the attack to take the first Ionian settlement directly north of his main camp. Afterwards, he retreats to his main camp, where he must be fought and forced to withdraw.
- A City Ablaze: Aristagoras' troops burn the city of Sardis. Aristagoras himself is stationed outside the city walls, at the Agora, where he needs to be fought again to force him to withdraw.
- Chasing Smoke: Aristagoras' troops carry the plunder from Sardis, while he commands from Ephesus. After the city's Fort is destroyed, Aristagoras will briefly appear and escape to a Transport Ship.
- Death to Traitors: Aristagoras hides in Miletus in one of the Forts, while his troops protect the city. Once forced out of hiding, he must be killed for vengeance.
Alexander the Great[]
- Unto the Breach: If Alexander's forces attempt to storm the center-top fort by fording the river and using Siege Towers, they can take over the Fort by killing the Persian Commanders stationed there. All three Commanders are renamed Aristagoras.
History[]
Aristagoras was the tyrant (ruler) of Miletus and a key instigator of the Ionian Revolt against Persian rule. Initially, he served as a loyal ally to the Achaemenid Persian Empire, having been appointed by them after ousting the previous ruler who was his own father-in-law. He prompted and participated in an unsuccessful campaign to conquer Naxos, funded by the Persian satrap Artaphernes. The failure strained his position, prompting Aristagoras to incite a rebellion among the Ionian Greek city-states.
He sought support from mainland Greece, securing aid from Athens and Eretria, which escalated the conflict. However, the revolt ultimately failed, and Aristagoras fled to Thrace, where he met his death. His actions eventually led to the larger Greco-Persian Wars.
Gallery[]
