Sataspes

Sataspes was a Persian nobleman and admiral during the reign of Xerxes I in the Achaemenid Empire (c. 5th century BCE). He is primarily known from the writings of Herodotus in his Histories.

According to Herodotus, Sataspes was accused of raping a female relative, either his mother's sister or daughter (the exact relationship is unclear in the text). As punishment, Xerxes initially sentenced him to impalement. However, at the intervention of Sataspes' mother, Xerxes commuted the sentence to a seemingly less severe one: Sataspes was ordered to circumnavigate Africa. This was a daunting, almost impossible task, intended to explore the western coast of Africa and prove whether it was indeed surrounded by sea.

Sataspes set sail with an Egyptian ship and crew. He passed the Pillars of Hercules (Strait of Gibraltar) and sailed south along the African coast. After several months, he reached a region where he encountered small, dwarfish people dressed in palm-leaf clothing. He claimed his crew abandoned him due to fear and a lack of supplies, forcing him to turn back.

Upon his return to Persia, Sataspes reported his failure to Xerxes, claiming that the ship could not proceed any further. Xerxes, disbelieving his excuses and interpreting his return as defiance, had him impaled.

The account of Sataspes' voyage is valuable for its insight into the geographical knowledge (and misconceptions) of the ancient Persians, as well as the severity of Xerxes' justice. Historians debate the veracity of the circumnavigation attempt, with some speculating that Sataspes may have sailed further than he admitted or that the story was exaggerated or fabricated. Regardless of the truth, the tale of Sataspes remains a significant historical anecdote.