Cyaxares the Great

Who was Cyaxares the Great?

Cyaxares or Hvakhshathra, the son of King Phraortes, was the third and most capable king of Media. According to Herodotus, Cyaxares, grandson of Deioces, had a far greater military reputation than his father or grandfather.

Because of his military genius, he made Iran a major power by uniting all Iranian tribes of Ancient Iran and conquering many territories. He repelled the Scythians from Median territory and also played a major role in the destruction of the Neo-Assyrian Empire.