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'''Cyaxares II''', is the alleged son and successor of the legendary [[Astyages]], King of the [[Medes]] in [[Ecbatana]] who allegedly reigned from 561 to 536 BC<ref>Barnes' Notes on the Bible, Daniel 9:1.  [https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/daniel/9.htm]</ref>.  The generally accepted narrative is that the throne passed straight from [[Astyages]] to [[Cyrus the Great]].

'''Cyaxares II''', is the alleged son and successor of the legendary [[Astyages]], King of the [[Medes]] in [[Ecbatana]] who allegedly reigned from 561 to 536 BC<ref>Barnes' Notes on the Bible, Daniel 9:1; https://biblehub.com/commentaries/barnes/daniel/9.htm</ref>.  The generally accepted narrative is that the throne passed straight from [[Astyages]] to [[Cyrus the Great]].

== Original Sources ==

== Original Sources ==

The son of [[Astyages]], [[Cyaxares II]] (not to be confused with [[Cyaxares I]], father of [[Astyages]]) does not ''specifically'' exist in any surviving or currently available extant cuniform tablets or the likes; but he does possibly exist with a potential dual reference in the absolutely monumental [[bas-relief]] [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] (''see below'').

The son of [[Astyages]], [[Cyaxares II]] (not to be confused with [[Cyaxares I]], father of [[Astyages]]) does not ''specifically'' exist in any surviving or currently available extant cuniform tablets or the likes; but he does possibly exist with a potential dual reference in the absolutely monumental [[bas-relief]] [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] (''see below'').

Meanwhile the strongest ''specific'' literary evidence for his existence lies within the pages [[Xenophon|Xenohon's]] crowning work, the ''[[Cyropaedia]]'', who as a Greek military commander served in [[Cyrus the Younger|Cyrus']] army.  This work was so highly prized by [[Alexander the Great]], that he made it his perpetual study<ref>Xenophon, 'Cyropaedia'', Introduction, Delphi Classics, 2013, Hastings, UK</ref>; by extension it was obviously also recommended to him by his mentor and tutor [[Aristotle]]<ref>[[Quintus Curtius Rufus]], History of Alexander, 1.9</ref>. Likewise did [[Julius Caesar]]<ref>Xenophon, 'Cyropaedia'', Introduction, Delphi Classics, 2013, Hastings, UK</ref>.  Meanwhile [[Scipio Africanus]] is reported to have carried it with him everywhere<ref>Xenophon, 'Cyropaedia'', Introduction, Delphi Classics, 2013, Hastings, UK</ref>.  This combined with a possible identity match with [[Josephus|Josephus']] [[Darius the Mede|Darius, King of Media]]<ref>Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', 10.11.2; https://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/ant-10.htm</ref>, "the son of Astyages, [who] had another name among the Greeks"<ref>Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', 10.11.4; https://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/ant-10.htm</ref> creates a good case.  Compoundingly, two of the rebels listed in [[Darius I|Darius I's]] [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] claimed "to be of the family of Cyaxares": which has naturally created debate if these are references to [[Cyaxares I]] or to the possible [[Cyaxares II]].  Finally those who accept the [[Book of Daniel]] to be true, note that it was [[Darius the Mede]] who officially seized the kingdom<ref>Daniel 5:31</ref>, which happily correlates all three of these literary sources to their reasoning.

Meanwhile the strongest ''specific'' literary evidence for his existence lies within the pages [[Xenophon|Xenohon's]] crowning work, the ''[[Cyropaedia]]'', who as a Greek military commander served in [[Cyrus the Younger|Cyrus']] army.  This work was so highly prized by [[Alexander the Great]], that he made it his perpetual study<ref>Xenophon, 'Cyropaedia'', Introduction, Delphi Classics, 2013, Hastings, UK</ref>; by extension it was obviously also recommended to him by his mentor and tutor [[Aristotle]]<ref>[[Quintus Curtius Rufus]], History of Alexander, 1.9</ref>. Likewise did [[Julius Caesar]]<ref>Xenophon, 'Cyropaedia'', Introduction, Delphi Classics, 2013, Hastings, UK</ref>.  Meanwhile [[Scipio Africanus]] is reported to have carried it with him everywhere<ref>Xenophon, 'Cyropaedia'', Introduction, Delphi Classics, 2013, Hastings, UK</ref>.  This combined with a possible identity match with [[Josephus|Josephus']] [[Darius the Mede|Darius, King of Media]]<ref>Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', 10.11.2.[https://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/ant-10.htm]</ref>, "the son of Astyages, [who] had another name among the Greeks"<ref>Josephus, ''Antiquities of the Jews'', 10.11.4.[https://www.sacred-texts.com/jud/josephus/ant-10.htm]</ref> creates a good case.  Compoundingly, two of the rebels listed in [[Darius I|Darius I's]] [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] claimed "to be of the family of Cyaxares": which has naturally created debate if these are references to [[Cyaxares I]] or to the possible [[Cyaxares II]].  Finally those who accept the [[Book of Daniel]] to be true, note that it was [[Darius the Mede]] who officially seized the kingdom<ref>Daniel 5:31</ref>, which happily correlates all three of these literary sources to their reasoning.

Alternitively, [[Cyaxares II]] does not appear in [[Ptolemy's Canon]]<ref>Livius, Ptolemy's Canon; https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/ptolemys-canon/</ref> or the [[Uruk King List]]<ref>Livius, Uruk King List;https://www.livius.org/sources/content/uruk-king-list/</ref>.  But neither of these feature [[Belshazzar]] who became effective king of Babylon after his father [[Nabonidas]] capture now confirmed to us by the Nabonidus Cylinder (from Ur)<ref>Livius, ''Nabonidus Cylinder from Ur'',https://www.livius.org/sources/content/nabonidus-cylinder-from-ur/</ref><ref>Livius, ''ABC 7 (Nabonidus Chronicle)'', Column iii.16, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/</ref>.  Similarly [[Ptolemy's Canon|Ptolemy]] does not list [[Nerglissar|Nerglissar's]] son [[Labasi-Marduk]] while the [[Uruk King List|Uruk]] does.

Alternitively, [[Cyaxares II]] does not appear in [[Ptolemy's Canon]]<ref>Livius, Ptolemy's ''Canon''. [https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/ptolemys-canon/]</ref> or the [[Uruk King List]]<ref>Livius, Uruk King List.[https://www.livius.org/sources/content/uruk-king-list/]</ref>.  But neither of these feature [[Belshazzar]] who became effective king of Babylon after his father [[Nabonidas]] capture now confirmed to us by the Nabonidus Cylinder (from Ur)<ref>Livius, ''Nabonidus Cylinder from Ur''.[https://www.livius.org/sources/content/nabonidus-cylinder-from-ur/]</ref><ref>Livius, ''ABC 7 (Nabonidus Chronicle)'', Column iii.16.[https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/]</ref>.  Similarly [[Ptolemy's Canon|Ptolemy]] does not list [[Nerglissar|Nerglissar's]] son [[Labasi-Marduk]] while the [[Uruk King List|Uruk]] does.

Meanwhile [[Cyaxares II]] existence is further called into question when the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]] openly states that: 1. [[Cyrus|Cyrus the Great]] attacked [[Astyages]] and that the army betrayed [[Astyages]]<ref>Livius, ''ABC 7 (Nabonidus Chronicle)'', Column ii, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/</ref> thereby 2. denying [[Astyages]] throne passed to [[Cyaxares II]] at all.  This account is in harmony with Herodotus' narrative which may be derived from the [[Nabonidus Chronicle|Chronicle]] or another common source.

Meanwhile [[Cyaxares II]] existence is further called into question when the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]] openly states that: 1. [[Cyrus|Cyrus the Great]] attacked [[Astyages]] and that the army betrayed [[Astyages]]<ref>Livius, ''ABC 7 (Nabonidus Chronicle)'', Column ii. [https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/]</ref> thereby 2. denying [[Astyages]] throne passed to [[Cyaxares II]] at all.  This account is in harmony with Herodotus' narrative which may be derived from the [[Nabonidus Chronicle|Chronicle]] or another common source.

Clearly, legitimate debate over these sources does exist.  Therefore in the following sections we shall examine these sources in more detail.

Clearly, legitimate debate over these sources does exist.  Therefore in the following sections we shall examine these sources in more detail.

=== In the works of Xenophon ===

=== In the works of Xenophon ===

According to [[Xenophon]], ''Cyaxares II'' ruled as king after the natural death of [[Astyages]] and sought to defended [[Medes|Media]] from Assyrian/[[Babylonia|Babylonian]] aggression, promoting his yet unascended nephew [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus]] as General/leader of the allied forces.  Furthermore, [[Xenophon]] in great detail records the history of [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus']] pre-emptive strike and campaigns with ''Cyaxares II'', the first battle of which the king of Babylon (probably [[Neriglissar]]) was decisively defeated and slain.  During the plunder of this battle [[Cyaxares II]] and [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] were separated and Cyrus continued to campaign alone with [[Cyaxares II]] eventually returning to [[Ecbatana]]. The volume records how Cyrus fused the alliance of nations under his banner until after several years Cyrus stands at the very gates of [[Babylon]] itself.  [[Xenophon]] then very significantly records how after the conquest of [[Babylon]], [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] travelled to [[Ecbatana]] wherein he met [[Cyaxares II]], gifting him a palace in Babylon and accepted the hand of his daughter with the Kingdom of Media as her dowry.  [[Xenophon]] then records how [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] travelled to Persia after the death of his father [[Cambyses I]] to receive his father's office.

According to [[Xenophon]], ''Cyaxares II'' ruled as king after the natural death of [[Astyages]] and sought to defended [[Medes|Media]] from Assyrian/[[Babylonia|Babylonian]] aggression, promoting his yet unascended nephew [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus]] as General/leader of the allied forces.  Furthermore, [[Xenophon]] in great detail records the history of [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus']] pre-emptive strike and campaigns with ''Cyaxares II'', the first battle of which the king of Babylon (probably [[Neriglissar]]) was decisively defeated and slain.  During the plunder of this battle [[Cyaxares II]] and [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] were separated and Cyrus continued to campaign alone with [[Cyaxares II]] eventually returning to [[Ecbatana]]. The volume records how Cyrus fused the alliance of nations under his banner until after several years Cyrus stands at the very gates of [[Babylon]] itself.  [[Xenophon]] then very significantly records how after the conquest of [[Babylon]], [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] travelled to [[Ecbatana]] wherein he met [[Cyaxares II]], gifting him a palace in Babylon and accepted the hand of his daughter with the Kingdom of Media as her dowry.  [[Xenophon]] then records how [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]] travelled to Persia after the death of his father [[Cambyses I]] to receive his father's office.

This record stands in direct contrast regarding the existence of [[Cyaxares II]] with the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]]<ref>Nabonidas Chronicle, ''Column ii.1-4'', https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/</ref>, [[Herodotus]] and [[Ctesias]] accounts, [[Ptolemy's Canon]]<ref>Ptolemy's Canon, https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/ptolemys-canon/</ref> and the [[Uruk King List]]<ref>Uruk King List, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/uruk-king-list/</ref> on the one side.  But on the other, it alone offers a satisfactory reason as to why the authoritative [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] twice has rebels claiming to be "of the family of Cyaxares"<ref>[[Darius I]], Behistun Inscription, Rebellion of  Phraortes, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-13/</ref><ref>[[Darius I]], Behistun Inscription, Rebellion of Tritantaechmes, https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-21/</ref> and not "of the family of Astyages" (being the last monarch of Media if the likes of the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]] are true) ; while it must also be noted that if these rebels were referring to [[Astyages]] father [[Cyaxares I]], then claims to the throne that are over a hundred years old does not make for a strong case! It must also be noted that this inscription is the dictate of [[Darius I]] himself, who in turn is the son of one [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus']] right hand men who lived these events. Now when one considers the [[Book of Daniel|Book of Daniel's]] claim that Darius the Mede "took the kingdom" (rather than the Cyrus) despite known physical history, this claim is harmonized when [[Josephus]] records that "Darius the Mede" "was the son of Astyages" but "known to the Greeks by another name".

This record stands in direct contrast regarding the existence of [[Cyaxares II]] with the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]]<ref>''Nabonidus Chronicle'', ''Column ii.1-4'', [https://www.livius.org/sources/content/mesopotamian-chronicles-content/abc-7-nabonidus-chronicle/]</ref>, [[Herodotus]] and [[Ctesias]] accounts, [[Ptolemy's Canon]]<ref>Ptolemy's Canon, [https://www.livius.org/articles/concept/ptolemys-canon/]</ref> and the [[Uruk King List]]<ref>Uruk King List.[https://www.livius.org/sources/content/uruk-king-list/]</ref> on the one side.  But on the other, it alone offers a satisfactory reason as to why the authoritative [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] twice has rebels claiming to be "of the family of Cyaxares"<ref>[[Darius I]], Behistun Inscription, Rebellion of  Phraortes.[https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-13/]</ref><ref>[[Darius I]], Behistun Inscription, Rebellion of Tritantaechmes. [https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-21/]</ref> and not "of the family of Astyages" (being the last monarch of Media if the likes of the [[Nabonidus Chronicle]] are true); while it must also be noted that if these rebels were referring to [[Astyages]] father [[Cyaxares I]], then claims to the throne that are over a hundred years old does not make for a strong case! It must also be noted that this inscription is the dictate of [[Darius I]] himself, who in turn is the son of one [[Cyrus II the Great|Cyrus']] right hand men who lived these events. Now when one considers the [[Book of Daniel|Book of Daniel's]] claim that Darius the Mede "received the kingdom" (rather than the Cyrus) despite known physical history, this claim is harmonized when [[Josephus]] records that "Darius the Mede" "was the son of Astyages" but "known to the Greeks by another name".

Herein, historians are forced to make a choice between the account of [[Xenophon|Xenophon's]] [[Cyropaedia]], backed by the immensely authoritative [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]], or these contrary works.

Herein, historians are forced to make a choice between the account of [[Xenophon|Xenophon's]] ''[[Cyropaedia]]'', backed by the immensely authoritative [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]], or these contrary works.

=== In the works of Josephus ===

=== In the works of Josephus ===

Josephus does not use the title of "''Cyaxares''", but rather names [[Darius the Mede]] as the son of [[Astyages]], simply acknowledging that [[Darius the Mede]] is known by another name among the Greeks.  Considering the possible candidates at the time, this has lead many to comment on this convergence and conclude that Josephus' [[Darius the Mede]], son of [[Astyages]] is [[Cyaxares II]].

Josephus does not use the title of "''Cyaxares''", but rather names [[Darius the Mede]] as the son of [[Astyages]], simply acknowledging that [[Darius the Mede]] is known by another name among the Greeks.  Considering the possible candidates at the time, this has led many to comment on this convergence and conclude that Josephus' [[Darius the Mede]], son of [[Astyages]] is [[Cyaxares II]].

=== In the Behistun Inscription ===

=== In the Behistun Inscription ===

The [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] details the nine self-proclaimed kings who rebelled in [[Darius I|Darius Hystspes']] first year of power whom he subdued.  Two of those rebels claimed to be "of the family Cyaxares"<ref>[[Darius I]], ''Behistun Inscription'', https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-13/</ref><ref>[[Darius I]], ''Behistun Inscription'', https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-21/</ref>, of whom the former claimed a false identity while the later may well have been legitimate (but a rebel none the less). Regardless, this gives rise to the debate if they are referring to [[Cyaxares I]], father of [[Astyages]] or to [[Astyages|Astyages']] possible son and successor [[Cyaxares II]].

The [[Behistun (inscription)|Behistun Inscription]] details the nine self-proclaimed kings who rebelled in [[Darius I|Darius Hystspes']] first year of power whom he subdued.  Two of those rebels claimed to be "of the family Cyaxares"<ref>[[Darius I]], ''Behistun Inscription''. [https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-13/]</ref><ref>[[Darius I]], ''Behistun Inscription''.[https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-21/]</ref>, of whom the former claimed a false identity while the later may well have been legitimate (but a rebel none the less). Regardless, this gives rise to the debate if they are referring to [[Cyaxares I]], father of [[Astyages]] or to [[Astyages|Astyages']] possible son and successor [[Cyaxares II]].

 

It must be noted that [[Phraortes]] claimed "I am Khshathrita, of the family of Cyaxares"<ref>[[Darius I]], ''Behistun Inscription'', https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-13/</ref>as did [[Tritantaechmes]]<ref>[[Darius I]], ''Behistun Inscription'', https://www.livius.org/sources/content/behistun-persian-text/behistun-t-21/</ref> claimed to be of "Cyaxares": if they refer to [[Cyaxares I]] over a hundred years prior, then their legitimate claim to the throne would be extremely small, if they refer to a potential [[Cyaxares II]] two generations later, then a much more legitimate claim could be substantiated.

== References ==

== References ==

[[Category:Ancient History]]

[[Category:Ancient History]]