# Baydad
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{{Short description|Dynast of Persis from 164 to 146 BC}}
{{Infobox monarch
|name = Baydad
|title =
|image = KINGS of PERSIS. Baydād (Bagadat) Early 3rd century BC.jpg
|image_size = 300px
|caption = Coin of Baydad, [Persepolis](/source/Persepolis) mint. The reverse shows Baydad enthroned, whilst the front shows a portrait of him.
|succession = [Frataraka](/source/Frataraka) of [Persis](/source/Persis)
|reign = 164 – 146 BC
|coronation =
|full name =
|predecessor = [Wahbarz](/source/Wahbarz)
|successor = [Wadfradad I](/source/Wadfradad_I)
|issue =
|dynasty =
|father =
|death_date = 146 BC
|death_place =
|religion = [Zoroastrianism](/source/Zoroastrianism)
}}
'''Baydad''' (also spelled '''Bagdates'''), was a dynast (''[frataraka](/source/frataraka)'') of [Persis](/source/Persis) from 164 to 146 BC.{{sfn|Shayegan|2011|p=168}}{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2013|p=723}}
== Background ==
[[File:Persis map.jpg|thumb|upright=1.5|Location of [Persis](/source/Persis) under the [Achaemenid Empire](/source/Achaemenid_Empire)]]
Since the end of the 3rd or the beginning of the 2nd century BCE, Persis had been ruled by local dynasts subject to the [Seleucid Empire](/source/Seleucid_Empire).{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2009}} They held the ancient Persian title of ''[frataraka](/source/frataraka)'' ("leader, governor, forerunner"), which is also attested in the [Achaemenid](/source/Achaemenid)-era.{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2000|p=195}} The Achaemenid Empire, which had a century earlier ruled most of the [Near East](/source/Near_East), originated from the region. The ''frataraka'' themselves emphasized their close affiliation with the prominent Achaemenid [King of Kings](/source/King_of_Kings),{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2000|p=195}} and their court was probably at the former Achaemenid capital of [Persepolis](/source/Persepolis), where they financed construction projects on and near the Achaemenid plateau.{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2000|p=195}} The ''frataraka'' had traditionally been regarded as priestly dynasts or advocates of religious (and political) opposition to [Hellenism](/source/Hellenization), however, this is no longer considered the case.{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2000|p=195}}
== Chronology of the ''frataraka'' ==
The traditional view of the chronology of the frataraka dynasts was originally; Baydad, [Ardakhshir I](/source/Ardakhshir_I), [Wahbarz](/source/Wahbarz), [Wadfradad I](/source/Wadfradad_I) and [Wadfradad II](/source/Wadfradad_II).{{sfn|Shayegan|2011|p=168 (note #521)}} However, recent findings of Persis coins have led to more a likely chronology; Ardakhshir I, Wahbarz, Wadfradad I, Baydad and Wadfradad II.{{sfn|Shayegan|2011|p=168 (note #521)}}{{sfn|Wiesehöfer|2013|p=722}}
==Rule==
On the reverse of his coins, Bagadates is depicted standing in front of a Zoroastrian fire-altar, or seated in majesty holding a staff of authority and possibly a [pomegranate](/source/pomegranate) in his left hand (''illustration, left'').
In his coinage, Bagadates has his portrait on the obverse, wearing the satrapal headdress and the Hellenistic diadem. On the reverse, he is either shown enthroned, or making his devotions to a fire temple. The weight standard of the coins is the [Attic standard](/source/Attic_standard), and the [tetradrachm](/source/tetradrachm) is the usual coin size, as was the usual case in the Seleucid empire.[{{cite book |last1=Bilde |first1=Per |title=Religion and Religious Practice in the Seleucid Kingdom |date=1990 |publisher=Aarhus University Press |isbn=9788772883229 |page=129 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DrmRAAAAMAAJ |language=en}}] The coins are inscribed in Aramaic with the name of the ruler.