Astyage

Astyage (in Greek old Ἀστυάγης/ Astyagês ), last king of the Mèdes.

It succeeds his father Cyaxare in 585 av . J. - C., and marries the girl of Crésus, king of Lydie. According to Hérodote, it Marie her daughter Mandane with the one of its vassal, the Persian king of Anshan, Cambyse I {{er}}, of the family of the Achéménides. From this union is born Cyrus II, of which one predicts implies that it will reverse his grandfather.

This one thus charges Harpage, one of its noble, to kill the child, but Harpage does nothing but give up the child, who is collected and raised by a shepherd. Is the history veracious? Difficult to say but towards 550 av. J-C./549 av . J. - C., Cyrus détrône Astyage, and leaves him the safe life.

Sources

(I, 107-130);
(I, 73-75).

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