Tag: Medes

Episode 19: Three Kings and The Magi

On By Trevor CulleyIn History of Persia2 Comments
Gaumata trampled under Darius’s foot as depicted in the Behistun Inscription. From Livius.org via Wikimedia Commons under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

In 522 BCE, the Persian Empire sat on the edge of Chaos. Between March and September of that year, 3 men sat on the Persian throne, and according to the official royal history one of those kings was actually impersonated by a couple of magi. This episode is the first to really question who the Magi were. This episode also discusses the many theories of what really happened that year.
Streaming
Download

Patreon Support
Audible Link
Aspects of History and Epic in Ancient Iran: From Gaumāta to Wahnām

Ad: Audible.com

Episode 5: Crossing the Halys

On By Trevor CulleyIn History of Persia4 Comments
A Greek libation bowl depicting Croesus sitting on his funeral pyre while servant ignites the fire. Currently housed at the Louvre.

Just as Cyrus the Great, now officially the King of Persia, was consolidating his hold over the recently conquered Median Empire, a new war started. This time, the Persians were facing Lydia, the fabulously wealthy Anatolian kingdom ruled by King Croesus. This war really had it all. Deceptive strategies, surprising alliances, strange tactics, and wildly confused ancient sources to tell the story, but in the end it was just one achievement for Cyrus. 
Download
Anchor Streaming

Episode 4 – Cyrus II, King of Anshan

On By Trevor CulleyIn History of PersiaLeave a comment
“Cyrus and Astyages” – Oil painting by French artist Jean-Charles-Nicaise Perrin in the 18th century. The scene depicted is Astyages (center) ordering Harpagus (left) to take and kill the infant Cyrus (Harpagus’ arms).

Around 550 BCE, King Cyrus II of Anshan went into revolt against the Median King Astyages. The young Cyrus was aided by a rebellious Median general called Harpagus and conquered the whole Median Empire in one war. Then, Cyrus declared himself King of Persia, and took his first step on the path to becoming “Great.”
Download
Anchor Streaming

Episode 3: Babylonians and Medes

On By Trevor CulleyIn History of PersiaLeave a comment

Map of the Near East under Babylon and Media. Originals by WillemBK and Szajci, via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Battle sites, Halys River, new cities, and key by Trevor Culley, 2019

We’re bringing the stories from the last two episodes together now. The Medes and the Babylonians joined forces, beat the Assyrians and the Egyptians, and then divided up the Near East between themselves as they built their own empires. After this, I promise there will be some actual Persians on this History of Persia Podcast. 
Download
Anchor Streaming Link

Episode 2: Indo-Iranians

On By Trevor CulleyIn History of Persia4 Comments

Map of Indo-European Migrations. Pink represents the original range. The darker areas represent earlier migrations. The lighter areas represent later migrations. Original image by Joshua Jonathan via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported. Text labels by Trevor Culley, 2019.

Last time, we got up to speed on what was going on in the Near East in the centuries before the Persians showed up. What we didn’t cover, was who exactly are these “Persians,” and what were they doing while their future empire was being taken over by the Assyrians. This time, we figure that out as we follow some steppe nomads called the Proto-Indo-Europeans on their 3000-ish year journey to becoming the Persians. 
Download
Anchor Streaming Link