Astyages
Astyages was the last prominent king of the Medes, reigning from 585 to 550 BCE, with his capital at Ecbatana, in present-day Iran. He was the son of Cyaxares and is noted for his marriage to a Lydian princess, which was part of a peace arrangement that ended conflicts between the Medes and Lydians. Astyages' daughter, Mandana, married Cambyses I, a Persian, and their union produced Cyrus the Great, a pivotal figure in ancient history. Historical accounts, including those from Herodotus and the Chaldean Chronicle, indicate that Astyages faced a rebellion from his soldiers. Ultimately, he was defeated by Cyrus, marking a significant transition in power as it established Persian dominance over the Median Empire. Despite his defeat, Cyrus reportedly spared Astyages' life, illustrating a complex familial and political relationship. Astyages' reign is notable for its implications in the broader context of ancient Near Eastern history, particularly in the rise of Persian influence.
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Subject Terms
Astyages
Related civilizations:Media, Persia
Major role/position: King
Life
Astyages (as-TI-uh-jeez), the son of Cyaxares, was the Median king who reigned from 585 to 550 b.c.e. His capital was located at Ecbatana (modern Hamadān). He was married to a Lydian princess, as part of a peace treaty ending hostilities between the Medes and the Lydians in 585 b.c.e. Their daughter Mandana married a Persian, Cambyses I, and gave birth to Cyrus the Great.
The Chaldean Chronicle of Nabonidus of Babylonia reports that the Median soldiers rebelled against Astyages. According to the historian Herodotus, Cyrus defeated Astyages, thus establishing the ascendancy of the Persians over the Medes, but spared the life of his grandfather.
Influence
Astyages was the last great Median king.
Bibliography
Dandamaev, M. A. A Political History of the Achaemenid Empire. Leiden, Netherlands: E. J. Brill, 1989.
Frye, Richard N. History of Ancient Iran. Munich: C. H. Beck, 1984.
Gershevitch, I., ed. The Cambridge History of Iran II: The Median and Achaemenian Periods. Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press, 1985.
Yamauchi, E. Persia and the Bible. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker, 1990.