Gaumata

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Gaumata

Persian pretender

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June 29, 2026

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Gaumata, often referred to as the Persian pretender, was a Magian who seized the throne of the Persian Empire in 522 BCE. According to historical accounts, including those from the Persian king Darius I and the Greek historian Herodotus, Gaumata impersonated Bardiya, the son of Cyrus the Great. Bardiya had been secretly murdered by his brother, Cambyses II. Gaumata's reign was brief, lasting only about eight months, before he was overthrown and killed by Darius and other Persian nobles who were suspicious of his claim to the throne. Some modern historians suggest that Darius may have fabricated the story of Gaumata to legitimize his own seizure of power, arguing that the murdered king was indeed the true son of Cyrus. Gaumata's actions, such as destroying cultic shrines, may indicate an adoption of Zoroastrianism, potentially alienating the nobility.123

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Darius I
Ascent to monarchy
…that the usurper was actually Gaumata, a Magian, who had impersonated Bardiya after Bardiya had been murdered secretly by Cambyses. Darius therefore claimed that he was restoring the kingship to the rightful Achaemenid house. He himself, however, belonged to a collateral branch of the royal family, and, as his father…
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…that the usurper was actually Gaumata, a Magian, who had impersonated Bardiya after Bardiya had been murdered secretly by Cambyses. Darius therefore claimed that he was restoring the kingship to the rightful Achaemenid house. He himself, however, belonged to a collateral branch of the royal family, and, as his father…
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epigraphy
Ancient Iran
…from the clutches of an upstart who pretended to be Bardiya (Smerdis), the brother of Darius’ predecessor Cambyses. The latter had murdered Smerdis and was carrying on various outrages in Egypt when word came of the impostor’s takeover back home. Darius stated that thereupon Cambyses “died his own death,” meaning…
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…from the clutches of an upstart who pretended to be Bardiya (Smerdis), the brother of Darius’ predecessor Cambyses. The latter had murdered Smerdis and was carrying on various outrages in Egypt when word came of the impostor’s takeover back home. Darius stated that thereupon Cambyses “died his own death,” meaning…
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Cambyses II
…prince was, however, impersonated by Gaumata the Magian, who in March 522 seized the Achaemenid throne. Cambyses was traveling through Syria on his way back to Persia when he first heard reports of the revolt there; he died mysteriously in Syria in the summer of 522, either by his own…
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…prince was, however, impersonated by Gaumata the Magian, who in March 522 seized the Achaemenid throne. Cambyses was traveling through Syria on his way back to Persia when he first heard reports of the revolt there; he died mysteriously in Syria in the summer of 522, either by his own…
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Bardiya
…was later successfully impersonated by Gaumata, a Magian, who was able to seize the throne when Cambyses died in 522 bce. The usurper reigned for only eight months, however, before he was slain by Darius and other Persian nobles suspicious of his origin. Certain modern historians consider that Darius, who…
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…was later successfully impersonated by Gaumata, a Magian, who was able to seize the throne when Cambyses died in 522 bce. The usurper reigned for only eight months, however, before he was slain by Darius and other Persian nobles suspicious of his origin. Certain modern historians consider that Darius, who…
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Zoroastrianism
The reformation of Zarathushtra
…had to fight a usurper, Gaumata the Magian, who pretended to be Bardiya, the son of Cyrus the Great and brother of the king Cambyses. This Magian had destroyed cultic shrines, āyadanas, which Darius restored. One possible explanation of these events is that Gaumata had adopted Zoroastrianism, a doctrine that…
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…had to fight a usurper, Gaumata the Magian, who pretended to be Bardiya, the son of Cyrus the Great and brother of the king Cambyses. This Magian had destroyed cultic shrines, āyadanas, which Darius restored. One possible explanation of these events is that Gaumata had adopted Zoroastrianism, a doctrine that…
Read More