Bagōas
(
Βαγώας). An Egyptian eunuch, highly trusted and favoured
by Artaxerxes III. Ochus, whom he poisoned, B.C. 338, giving his flesh to cats, because he had
killed the sacred bull,
Apis (q.v.). He was put to
death by Darius III. Codomannus, whom he had attempted likewise to destroy, 336. The name
Bagoas frequently occurs in Persian history, and is sometimes used by Latin writers as
synonymous with
eunuchus, which indeed seems to be the original meaning
of the Persian word.