Chapter 14: Historical Events: The Zenith of the Median Kingdom under Cyaxares (Part 1)
In the middle of the first millennium BCE, while the Assyrian Empire dominated the Near East with its cruel and ruthless policies, the Medes stood against this power, seeking a leader for their liberation. After the turbulent reigns of Deioces and Phraortes, as well as the period of Scythian domination, Cyaxares, the son of Phraortes, emerged with a firm resolve and deep insight to change the destiny of his people forever. Cyaxares, who had learned valuable lessons from his father's failures and mistakes, dreamed of building a powerful and efficient army and knew that courage alone was not enough to overcome Assyria.
Unlike his ancestors who perhaps relied more on local defense, Cyaxares, understanding the importance of unity, extended a hand of friendship to the Persians. The Persians, who initially resided around Lake Urmia, had migrated to more southern regions near the Elamite state due to repeated attacks by the Assyrian and Urartian states, where they founded a city named Pasargadae. This strategic alliance between the Medes and the Persians became the foundation of Aryan power on the Iranian plateau and formed a new force against Assyria. According to Greek historians, Iranian tribes, including the Persians, were at this time either tributaries or allies of the Medes, but everything was about to change.
Inspired by the organization and military power of the Assyrians, but with a more indigenous approach, Cyaxares formed a modern and disciplined army for his time. He organized a swift cavalry with fast horses and an infantry equipped with bows, arrows, and spears. This army, whose archers were praised by the ancient historian Ctesias, became a symbol of the Medes' determination and strength. The depictions of Median soldiers in the reliefs of Persepolis, with their drawn bows and determined gazes, testify to the glory and discipline of this army, which could stand against any enemy. These fundamental reforms in the military structure of the Medes greatly increased the power of the Median army.
Cyaxares's goal was clear: the conquest of Nineveh, the heart of the Assyrian Empire. With a disciplined and confident army, he marched westward and laid a long siege to Nineveh. This was the first serious attempt to crush the central power of Assyria. But fate had another game in mind. At the height of this siege, news arrived that the Scythians, a nomadic and ever-troublesome people for the Medes, had invaded their land, putting the Median kingdom in grave danger. This surprise attack placed Cyaxares in a difficult situation.
Cyaxares, who did not consider delay permissible and prioritized the protection of his homeland, abandoned the siege of Nineveh and quickly returned to Media. In a bloody battle that took place near Lake Urmia, he reached a stalemate with the Scythians and was forced to devise a clever and unprecedented plan. According to a narrative recounted by the Greek historian Herodotus, Cyaxares invited the Scythian chieftains to a great feast. After getting them drunk with copious amounts of wine, he had them killed. This act, although it seems vague and legendary, ended the 28-year Scythian domination over the Medes and freed Cyaxares from one of the greatest challenges of his reign.
Cyaxares not only subdued the Scythians but also enlisted some of them into his army, benefiting from their cavalry skills. This victory breathed new life into the Medes and made Cyaxares more determined to pursue his great goal. After driving out the Scythians, he made fundamental reforms in the military structure of the Medes, which further increased the power of the Median army. These measures prepared the Medes for greater steps against Assyria.