After serving in Alexander's army for a number of years, Sibyrtius was appointed by Alexander, on his return from
India (326 BCE), governor of the province of
Carmania. Shortly after, Sibyrtius exchanged this post for the more important
satrapy of
Arachosia and
Gedrosia, to which he succeeded on the death of Thoas (Θόας).[2]
Following the death of Alexander in 323, Sibyrtius, in common with most of the other governors of the remote eastern provinces, retained possession of his satrapy, which was again confirmed to him in the second partition at
Triparadisus in 321.[3]
In the subsequent divisions involving the eastern satraps, Sibyrtius was one of those who supported
Peucestas against
Peithon and
Seleucus, and afterwards accompanied Peucestas when he joined
Eumenes in
Susiana in 317. His attachment was to Peucestas and not to Eumenes, and in Peucestas' subsequent intrigues against his commander-in-chief, Sibyrtius supported him so strongly that he incurred Eumenes' strong resentment, who threatened to bring him to trial; a fate from which he only escaped by a hasty flight.
Sibyrtius' open rupture with Eumenes had the advantage of securing him the favour of
Antigonus, who, after the defeat of his rival, confirmed Sibyrtius in his satrapy, and placed under his command a large part of the select body of troops termed
Argyraspids. Antigonus adopted this measure with the ostensible object of guarding the Eastern provinces against the neighbouring Indians, but according to
Diodorus Siculus, Antigonus no longer wished to have this group of troops in his domain at all; their turbulent and disaffected spirit was well known.[4]
Arrian mentions that
Megasthenes, the historian and ambassador of Seleucus to the court of
Chandragupta, lived with Sibyrtius, suggesting the latter may have remained at his post as satrap for quite a long time:[5][6][8]
Megasthenes lived with Sibyrtius, satrap of Arachosia, and often speaks of his visiting
Sandracottus, the king of the Indians.[9]
Notes
^Helmut Berve (Das Alexanderreich auf prosopographischer Grundlage #703)