Scythian invasion of Media
| Scythian invasion of Media | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Scythian incursions into the Near East | |||||||||
Scythian movements into Media and the Near East during the 7th century BC | |||||||||
| |||||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||||
| Scythians | Medes | ||||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||||
| Madyes |
Phraortes † Cyaxares | ||||||||
| Strength | |||||||||
| Unknown | Unknown | ||||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||||
| Unknown | Heavy; King Phraortes killed | ||||||||
| Sources primarily from Herodotus; exact numbers and details uncertain | |||||||||
The Scythian invasion of Media was a military campaign by the Scythians, led by Madyes, which resulted in the establishment of Scythian rule over the Medes.[1][2][3][4] Following the invasion, Media was under Scythian rule and paid them tribute between 652–625 BCE.
Background
The Scythians conducted raids into Mesopotamia and reached Media at least from the early 680s BCE.[5]
Invasion of Media
The Scythians’ arrival
George Rawlinson, in the book ‘‘Media; Babylonia; Persia’’, wrote: When Cyaxares was informed of the invasion, he quickly sent his army to engage the Scythians. The Medes expected that if they lost the battle, they could still fortify their major cities and resist the invaders. Both armies were well-prepared, though Cyaxares’s forces were more organized and experienced.
The Scythian king Madyes was victorious in the engagement, forcing Cyaxares to accept Scythian suzerainty and pay tribute annually. Cyaxares retained his royal title and administration over Media.
Early Scythian rule
There is no clear evidence that the Scythians caused widespread destruction in Media. Their main imposition was repeated tribute demands, sometimes exceeding agreed amounts. Despite this, their rule was relatively peaceful compared to neighboring Assyria, as Media was less wealthy and strategically less critical. Consequently, Scythian rule did not severely disrupt Media’s prosperity.
End of Scythian rule and aftermath
Scythian rule over Media ended when Cyaxares restored Median independence. According to sources, he invited the Scythian leaders to a feast and killed them, reestablishing full control over Media.
In the aftermath Media regained sovereignty and ceased tribute payments.The Scythian influence in the region ended, though some northern steppe connections persisted. This transition marked the beginning of Cyaxares’s consolidation of the Median Empire, which later became a significant power in the Near East.
References
- ^ Rawlinson, George (1885). Media; Babylonia; Persia. John B. Alden. pp. 87–90.
- ^ Vogelsang, W.J. (14 August 2023). The Rise and Organisation of the Achaemenid Empire. Brill. p. 187. ISBN 9789004671331.
- ^ Smith, Philip (1899). The Ancient History of the East, from the Earliest Times to the Conquest by Alexander the Great. Harper.
- ^ Cox, George William (1878). From the Earliest Period to the End of the Persian War, v.2. Paul.
- ^ Ivantchik, Askold (April 25, 2018). "Scythians". Encyclopædia Iranica.