Onesilus

Onesilus was a king of Salamis, Cyprus, in the late 6th century BC. He is primarily known for leading a Cypriot rebellion against the Achaemenid Persian Empire.

Onesilus was the younger brother of King Gorgus of Salamis. Accounts differ as to the precise cause of the rebellion, but Onesilus is said to have resented Gorgus' pro-Persian stance and his unwillingness to support the Ionians in their revolt against Persian rule (the Ionian Revolt). To that end, Onesilus seized control of Salamis by force, either through assassination or deposition of Gorgus. Gorgus then fled to the Persian-controlled city of Curium.

Onesilus took the lead in uniting most of the Cypriot city-kingdoms against Persian rule, though Amathus refused to join the uprising. He sought and received support from the Ionians, who sent a fleet to assist the Cypriots.

The decisive battle of the rebellion took place on land outside Salamis. While the Ionian fleet defeated the Phoenician navy supporting the Persians at sea, Onesilus was killed in single combat by Artybius, a Persian general. His death led to the collapse of the Cypriot revolt. Gorgus, with Persian support, was reinstated as king of Salamis.

The events surrounding Onesilus are primarily known through the writings of Herodotus in his Histories. His revolt is considered a key event in the history of Cyprus, representing an early struggle for independence from foreign rule.