He helped the Samians in the Samian Revolt against Athens, and supported various oligarchical movements against Athens along the coast of Asia Minor.[5]
He revolted against the Persian king Darius II Nothus between 420-415 BCE.[6] He recruited Greek mercenaries under the generalship of Lycon for his campaigns.[7]Tissaphernes, who was sent by the King to suppress the revolt of Pissuthnes, managed to bribe Lycon, and then brought Pissuthnes to Susa where he was executed.[8] Tissaphernes became his successor as Satrap of Lydia.[9]
Pissuthnes had a natural son named Amorges, who continued the rebellion against the Persian king.[10]