Cyaxares was the third king of the Medes. He ascended to the throne in 625 BC, after his father Phraortes lost his life in a battle against the Assyrians, probably Ashurbanipal. Assyrian allies, the S
Possible relief of Cyaxares, Qyzqapan tomb, Sulaymaniyah. Iraqi Kurdistan.
Possible Tomb of Cyaxares, Qyzqapan, Sulaymaniyah. Iraqi Kurdistan
Astyages was the last king of the Median kingdom, reigning from 585 to 550 BCE. The son of Cyaxares, he was dethroned by the Persian king Cyrus the Great.
King Astyages in chains submitting to Cyrus the Great (18th century tapestry).
The Median Empire during both Cyaxares' and Astyages' reigns
King Astyages commands Harpagus to take the infant Cyrus and slay him, tapestry by Jan Moy (1535-1550).
Astyages's dream (France, 15th century)