Labinetus

Labinetus was a personal name used by several individuals in ancient history, primarily in the Near East during the Achaemenid Persian Empire. It appears most frequently in classical Greek sources.

The most well-known Labinetus was likely a Babylonian official or ruler, possibly a satrap, who negotiated with Cyrus the Great before Cyrus's conquest of Babylon in 539 BC. He is mentioned by Herodotus as a key figure in the events leading up to the fall of Babylon to the Persians. He is described as a Babylonian who surrendered the city of Babylon to Cyrus, betraying the reigning king Nabonidus (also spelled Nabunaid in some sources).

Another individual named Labinetus is mentioned in historical accounts as the father of Nitocris, who was allegedly the wife of Cyrus the Great. However, the historicity of this relationship is debated among historians, and there are conflicting accounts of Cyrus's marital relationships. This association further links the name Labinetus with the Achaemenid dynasty and the events surrounding the Persian conquest of Mesopotamia.

Beyond these prominent figures, it's possible that other individuals bore the name Labinetus within the Persian Empire and surrounding regions. The name's origin and meaning are not definitively known, but its occurrence in connection with key historical events makes it a figure of interest in studies of the Achaemenid period. The specific rank and role of the Labinetus involved in the surrender of Babylon, and the existence and identity of the Labinetus linked to Nitocris, remain subjects of scholarly discussion and varying interpretations of ancient sources.