Kiaksar King of Media (Iran), who reigned 625-585. BC Country: Iran

1. Biography of Cyaxares
2. Military Conquests and Defeat
3. Overthrowing the Scythian Rule
4. Fall of Assyria and Alliance with Babylon
5. War with Lydia and Sun Eclipse

Biography of Cyaxares

Cyaxares, also known as Uvakhshatra, was the King of Media (Iran) from 625 to 585 BC. According to the accounts of Herodotus, Cyaxares was much more warlike than his predecessors. He introduced a significant military reform by dividing the Median army into different units based on their weapons, such as spearmen, archers, and horsemen, and ordered them to act independently. Prior to this reform, the army was mixed.

Military Conquests and Defeat

With this reform in place, Cyaxares embarked on large-scale conquests. His first major campaign was against the Assyrians, seeking revenge for his father's death and the destruction of their capital. However, while he was besieging Nineveh, massive hordes of Scythians led by the King of the Scythians, Madyes, invaded his territory from the Caucasus. The Medians suffered a defeat in battle and were forced to submit to the Scythians for several years. The Scythian rule was burdensome for the Medians as they not only demanded tribute but also plundered the land at will.

Overthrowing the Scythian Rule

Cyaxares managed to overthrow the despised Scythian rule through cunning. He once invited a large number of Scythians as guests, intoxicated them, and then ordered their slaughter. With this act, the Medians regained their former power and once again went to war against the Assyrians. According to Justin, the Scythian domination over Media lasted for eight years.

Fall of Assyria and Alliance with Babylon

In 614 BC, the Medians crossed the Tigris River and after a brief siege, captured the ancient Assyrian capital of Ashur. The victorious Medians carried out a bloody massacre in the city, and Ashur was completely destroyed. When everything was over, the Babylonian army, led by King Nabopolassar, arrived at the smoldering ruins. Nabopolassar formed an alliance with Cyaxares, which was sealed by the marriage between a Median princess and a Babylonian prince. In 612 BC, the two kings, combined their forces, successfully took the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, which was also completely destroyed, and most of its inhabitants were killed. The Assyrian empire ceased to exist, and its northern part became part of Media. Following this, Cyaxares conquered Urartu in the Transcaucasus.

War with Lydia and Sun Eclipse

Around 590 BC, the Medians invaded Asia Minor, where they encountered the mighty Lydia. The war between the two powers lasted for five years, with victories alternating between the Medians and the Lydians. In 585 BC, during one of the battles, a solar eclipse occurred, terrifying both sides. The frightened adversaries agreed to a peace treaty, which was further sealed by the marriage between a Lydian princess and Cyaxares' son, Astyages. Shortly after, Cyaxares passed away.