Astyages: The Last Median King's Legacy
An in-depth historical analysis of the final Median monarch, his reign, and the dramatic rise of Cyrus the Great.
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Who Was Astyages?
The Final Median Monarch
Astyages held the throne as the last king of the Median kingdom, ruling from 585 to 550 BCE. As the son of Cyaxares, a formidable predecessor, Astyages inherited a significant empire. His reign, however, culminated in a pivotal moment in ancient history: his dethronement by the ascendant Persian king, Cyrus the Great. This transition marked the end of Median dominance and the dawn of the Achaemenid Empire.
A Shifting Geopolitical Landscape
Astyages' rule was set against a backdrop of complex alliances and burgeoning powers in the ancient Near East. His position as the final Median king makes his story crucial for understanding the geopolitical shifts that led to the rise of Persia. The narratives surrounding his life and downfall, though often embellished by ancient historians, provide invaluable insights into the political machinations and cultural beliefs of the era.
Pronunciation and Nomenclature
The name Astyages, rendered in Ancient Greek as แผฯฯฯ ฮฌฮณฮทฯ, has various historical spellings and pronunciations. In Neo-Babylonian Akkadian, he was known as Iลกtumegu. Understanding these linguistic variations helps in appreciating the diverse historical records that chronicle his existence and the broader Median culture.[a][b]
The Reign of Astyages
Alliances and Succession
Astyages ascended to the Median throne in 585 BCE, immediately following the Battle of Halys, which concluded a five-year conflict between the Lydians and the Medes. His inheritance included a vast empire, maintained through strategic alliances with his brothers-in-law: Croesus of Lydia and Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Notably, Astyages' sister, Amytis, was the queen for whom Nebuchadnezzar is famously said to have constructed the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.[5] To solidify the treaty between the Median and Lydian empires, Astyages married Aryenis, the sister of King Croesus.[6]
Conflicting Historical Portrayals
Contemporary sources offer scant direct information regarding Astyages' reign, making a definitive assessment of his character challenging. Ancient accounts present a polarized view: Herodotus depicts him as a cruel and despotic ruler, while Ctesias offers a more favorable portrayal.[b] Both accounts are subject to historical bias, requiring critical evaluation. Furthermore, Xenophon's Cyropaedia, a work widely considered fictional, portrays Astyages as a benevolent elderly gentleman devoted to his grandson, Cyrus, a depiction that diverges significantly from other historical records and is not considered a reliable source for factual history.
Astyages in Herodotus
The Prophetic Dreams
The Greek historian Herodotus provides a detailed, albeit dramatic, narrative of Astyages' reign and downfall. According to Herodotus, Astyages experienced a disturbing dream foretelling that his daughter, Mandane, would bear a son destined to dismantle his empire. To avert this prophecy, Astyages arranged Mandane's marriage to Cambyses I of Anshan, whom he perceived as a "quiet and thoughtful prince" and therefore no threat. However, a second dream intensified his fears, prompting him to order his general, Harpagus, to eliminate the infant Cyrus, Mandane's son.[7][8] Modern scholarship generally disputes Herodotus's assertion that Cyrus was Astyages' grandson.[9]
The Survival of Cyrus
Harpagus, reluctant to shed royal blood, entrusted the infant Cyrus to a shepherd named Mitridates, whose wife had recently suffered a stillbirth. Cyrus was subsequently raised as Mitridates' own son, while Harpagus presented the stillborn child to Astyages as the deceased Cyrus. Upon discovering Cyrus alive at the age of ten, Astyages, advised by his Magi, spared the boy and returned him to his parents in Anshan.
Harpagus's Vengeance
Astyages, however, did not spare Harpagus from a gruesome punishment: he was reportedly fed his own son at a banquet. This act of extreme cruelty fueled Harpagus's desire for revenge. Years later, in 553 BCE, Cyrus, having succeeded his father, rebelled against Astyages, reportedly on the instigation of Harpagus. After three years of conflict, Astyages' troops mutinied during the Battle of Pasargadae, leading to Cyrus's conquest of the Median Empire. Herodotus states that Astyages was treated well by Cyrus and remained at his court until his death, despite Harpagus's taunts.
The "Dog" Legend
Herodotus also offers a rationalized explanation for the popular myth that Cyrus was suckled by a dog. He clarifies that the herdsman Mitridates lived with another of Astyages' slaves, a woman named 'Spaco,' which Herodotus explains is the Median word for "dog."[10][11] This detail provides a plausible origin for the legend, connecting it to a cultural reverence for dogs among Persians, similar to the Roman legend of Romulus and Remus suckled by a she-wolf.[12]
Astyages in the Bible
Deuterocanonical References
Astyages also appears in certain biblical traditions. Theodotion's translation of Daniel 14, a deuterocanonical chapter known as "Bel and the Dragon," commences with Cyrus's ascension to power following the death of Astyages.[13] This narrative places Astyages within a broader historical and religious context, highlighting his significance in the transition of power in the ancient world.
Darius the Mede Identification
Furthermore, the original Douay-Rheims Bible identifies Darius the Mede as another name for Astyages.[14][15] This identification is a point of scholarly discussion, as the historical figure of Darius the Mede is debated. However, it underscores the enduring presence of Astyages in ancient texts and the various interpretations of his identity and role in the historical record.
The Overthrow of Astyages
The Mutiny and Cyrus's Victory
The contemporary Chronicle of Nabonidus attributes Astyages' overthrow to a mutiny on the battlefield, though it does not explicitly name Harpagus. However, given Harpagus's role as Astyages' general at the Battle of Pasargadae, his family's subsequent elevation to high positions within Cyrus's empire, and his later success as Cyrus's general, it is highly plausible that he played a significant role in orchestrating the mutiny against Astyages.[16] Following this decisive victory, Cyrus proceeded to capture Ecbatana, Astyages' capital, effectively bringing an end to the Median Empire.
Astyages' Fate: Divergent Accounts
Ancient sources generally concur that Astyages was treated with clemency after his capture by Cyrus, a testament to Cyrus's reputation for magnanimity. However, the specifics of his fate differ. Herodotus maintains that Cyrus allowed Astyages to remain at his court for the remainder of his life. In contrast, Ctesias's account suggests that Astyages was appointed governor of a region in Parthia, only to be later murdered by a political adversary named Oebares. The precise circumstances of Astyages' death remain historically unconfirmed.
Croesus's Retaliation
In the aftermath of Astyages' overthrow, Croesus, the king of Lydia and Astyages' brother-in-law, launched a campaign against Cyrus, seeking to avenge the fallen Median king. However, Cyrus, with Harpagus by his side, successfully defeated Croesus and subsequently conquered Lydia in or after 547 BCE.[17] This sequence of events further solidified Cyrus's power and expanded the nascent Achaemenid Empire, marking a significant turning point in ancient Near Eastern history.
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References
References
- A commentary on Herodotus with introduction and appendixes. Oxford [Oxfordshire]: Oxford University Press. i.107
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