Battle of Hyrba

Infobox Military Conflict


conflict=Battle of Hyrba
partof=the Wars of Cyrus the Great
date=January?, 552 BC
place=Hyrba, Media
result=Persian victory.
territory=Allies of Northern Media defect to Persia.
combatant1=Median Empire
combatant2=Persis
commander1=Harpagus,
unkown others
commander2=Cyrus the Great,
Later Harpagus,
unknown others
strength1=300 cavalry [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.1]
strength2=5,000 infantry, (engaged)? [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.3]
1,000+ cavalry [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity," tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.3]
casualties1=250 cavalry [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.7]
casualties2=Very light [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.8]

The Battle of Hyrba was the first battle between the Persians and Medians. It was also the first battle after the Persians had revolted. These actions were led (for the most part) by Cyrus the Great, as it shifted the powers of the ancient Middle East. The success of the battle led to the creation of Persia's first empire, and began Cyrus's decade long conquest of almost all of the known world. Though the only authority with a detauked account of the battle was Nicolaus of Damascus, other well known historians as Herodotus, Ctesias, and Strabo also mention the battle in their own accounts. [Herodotus ("The Histories") I, 127-128] [Ctesias ("Persica")] [Fragments of Nicolaus of Damascus] [Strabo ("History") XV, 3.8]
The outcome of the battle was such a great blow to Medes, that Astyages decided to personally invade Persia. The hasty invasion would eventually lead to his downfall. In turn, the former enemies of the Medes tried to move against them, only to be stopped by Cyrus. Thus a period of reconciliation began, which facilitated a close relationship between the Persians and Medes. And enabled Ecbatana, the capital of the Median province, to pass to the Persians as one of Persia's capitals in their newly formed empire.

Background

The battle occurred after the Persian Revolt, which is known to have taken place somewhere in the summer of 553 BC. [The Nabonidus Cylinder from Sippar] Based on scant sources the battle (which was in Hyrba) is believed to have taken place at least half a year after the revolt had already begun, [The Nabonidus Chronicle of the Babylonian Chronicles 1] probably in the beginning of winter 552 BC. [The Nabonidus Chronicle of the Babylonian Chronicles 2] Astyages, the king of Medes, who is thought to have also been Cyrus's grandfather, had earlier turned down the request of Cyrus to leave his court and visit his parents again, as he had done several times earlier. [Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993) p. 144. In 1 volume] Though his request to Astyages was not unusual, Cyrus had made the mistake of asking him right after the revolt that had happened, but through the pleading of the Persian servant, Oebares, Astyages let him visit his parents again. [Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993) p. 145-146. In 1 volume] In Herodotus' version, in one of the first times Cyrus had gone to his parents, the Median general Harpagus, had secretly sent a letter stuffed in a hare to Cyrus to plot a revolt, which Cyrus passed the letter onto his father. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-351] This matches the account of Nicolaus in which he says that Cambyses I had already assembled many troops way before the battle had started, and that he later despatched a small number to Cyrus's aid. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 350. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-351] This also confirms the notion that the battle took place months, not days, after the revolt. [Chisholm, Hugh, "The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information", Cambridge, England; New York: At the University Press, (1910) p.206] Astyages decision to let Cyrus return to his parents is considered by some to have changed history by eventually enabling the Persis province to become the most powerful state in the ancient world. [Laymon, Charles M., "The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible: Introduction and Commentary", Abingdon Press, (1971) p.440. In 1 volume] Nicolaus also prefers to call Cambyses, as historians think it fits his description perfectly, Atradates - even Strabo calls Cyrus Agradates, his so-called original name, but this theory is contested by today's historians, who say Atradates is the variant name of Mitradates. [Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993) p. 145. In 1 volume] Nonetheless, the Achaemenid kings are known to have used their original names and royal names interchangeably, right when they became king, even until the time of Alexander the Great. [Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993) p. 146. In 1 volume] This is also due to the Achaemenid inscriptions that only call Cyrus's father one name, Cambyses. [ [http://www.livius.org/a/iran/pasargadae/pasargadae3.html#inscription Livius Picture Archive: Pasargadae ] ] However, for the origin of Cyrus's mother, Nicolas says her name was Argoste, not Herodotus' Mandane of Media, and Herodotus says the name of the adoptive parents of Cyrus was the royal shepherd of Saspiersian origin, and was named Mitradates with his wife Cyno, therefore are two possibilities. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 372. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 373]

The motives

Cyrus was in Ecbatana when the revolt had already begun. [Chisholm, Hugh, "The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information", Cambridge, England; New York: At the University Press, (1910) p.207] In Nicolaus's account, when Cyrus was let go, he fled from Astyages because he knew he might eventually be executed if Astyages discovered what Cyrus's true motives were, which was to join and fight along side his fahter, if necessary. [Herodotus, Godley A. D., "Herodotus", A D Godley. I, 126. London, W. Heinemann; New York, G.P. Putnam's Sons, (1921-24) p. 144. In 481 editions] This is due to the fact that when Cyrus was half way to becoming an adult he learned that Astyages had already tried to execute him when he was an infant, but it did not succeed, and as time passed, Astyages came to respect Cyrus for the similarities of character, which they both shared. [Herodotus, Godley A. D., "Herodotus", A D Godley. I, 124. London, W. Heinemann; New York, G.P. Putnam's Sons, (1921-24) p. 141. In 481 editions] Meanwhile, Astyages was not sure if it was safe to let Cyrus return to his homeland. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity," tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 369. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 370] Astyages eventually did, and it helped terminate the Median kingdom. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 370. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 371] When Astyages was tricked by Harpagus twice into believing Cyrus was not a danger to him, even when the revolt and impending signs of danger had already happened, that is when Cyrus knew of how easily Astyages can be swindled. [Herodotus, Godley A. D., "Herodotus," A D Godley. I, 125. London, W. Heinemann; New York, G.P. Putnam's Sons, (1921-24) p. 144. In 481 editions] For this reason, Cyrus may have taken advantage of this to bring freedom to his own kingdom. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348-349]

When Cyrus was again with Astyages, Oebares reminded him of his advice. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348.1] Cyrus followed it, sent to Persia, and when he found that all was ready, asked Astyages, under the pretext that Oebares had suggested, for permission to go to Persia. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348.2] The king would not let him go. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity," tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348.3] Then Cyrus betook himself to the most trustworthy of the eunuchs; when a favorable moment came, he was to obtain permission for the journey to Persia. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348.4] One day, when Cyrus found the king in the best of humors and cheered with wine, he gave the eunuch a sign, and the latter said to the king: ‘Cyrus asks to perform the sacrifice, which he has vowed for thee in Persia, that thou mightest continue gracious to him, and for permission to visit his sick father.’ [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348.5] The king called for Cyrus, and with a smile, gave him permission of absence for five months; in the sixth month, he was to return. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348.6] Cyrus bowed in gratitude before the king appointed Tiridates as butler to the king during his absence, and on the next he set out to Persia. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity," tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 348.7]

Meanwhile, Astyages invited the best singer of the Medes, and the last song played by the professional minstrel that was also a Magi, named Angares, which was also accompanied by a girl, disturbed Astyages deeply. [James Ussher, Larry Pierce, Marion Pierce, "The Annals of the World", p.109. Green Forest, AR : Master Books (2006) p. 110. In 13 editions]

She related this to her husband, who at once went to Astyages, told him all and added that Cyrus had obviously gone to Persia with a view of preparing for the execution of that which the dream had portended. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349.1] The king was seized with great anxiety, and the Babylonian advised him to put Cyrus to death as soon as he returned. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349.2] Astyages tried to call Cyrus back again, but could not get him: [James Ussher, Larry Pierce, Marion Pierce, "The Annals of the World", p.108. Green Forest, AR : Master Books (2006) p. 109. In 13 editions]

A fierce wild beast,
more fierce than any boar,
was let go,
and sent into a sunny country and he should reign over all these provinces and should,
with a handful of men,
maintain war against large armies. [Athenaeus ("Deipnosophistae"), 1.14 (633e) 6:419 (Quotes)]

The battle

Astyages applied this song to himself and Cyrus, and on the spot sent 300 horsemen to bring him back; if he would not obey they were to cut off his head and bring that. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.1] When the horsemen brought to Cyrus the commands of Astyages, he answered cunningly, perhaps on the advice of Oebares: ‘Why should I not return as my lord summons me? Today we will feast; tomorrow morning we will set out.’ This met with their approval. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.2] After the manner of the Persians, Cyrus caused many oxen and other animals to be slain in sacrifice, feasted the horsemen, and made them intoxicated; at the same time he sent a message to his father to send at once 1,000 cavalry and 5,000 foot soldiers to the city of Hyrba which lay on the way, and to arm the rest of the Persians as quickly as possible in such a way that it should seem to be done by command of the king. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.3] His true aims he did not communicate to him. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.4] In the night he and Oebares took horse, just as they were, hastened to Hyrba, armed the inhabitants, and drew out those whom Atradates had sent in order for battle. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.5] When the horsemen of Astyages had slept off their debauch on the following morning, and found that Cyrus had disappeared, they pursued him and went to Hyrba. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.6] Here Cyrus first displayed his bravery, for with his Persians he slew 250 of the horse of Astyages. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.7] The remainder escaped, and brought the news to Astyages. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.8]

Concerning the troops types, it is unknown whether or not the Persian infantry engagded in the battle. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 350. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.1] It's most likely Cyrus and the cavalry he had escaped with from Media fought directly with the Median cavalry Astyages had sent to bring Cyrus back. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 350. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.2] Cyrus might have known he needed all his men when fighting Astyages's best cavalry, for when battle had started, Cyrus with his will and superior numbers had the advantage. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 350. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.3] Which Nicolas goes as far as to say Cyrus first displayed his bravery in this battle. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 350. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.4] Nevertheless, Cyrus's tactics proved successful in maintaining the war. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 350. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.5] In Herodotus' Histories, he hints the first battle between the Persians and Medes, which Harpagus goes over to Cyrus, and most of the Medes either joined Cyrus or were killed, with a small force escaping back to Media. [Herodotus, "The History of Herodotus", tr. G. C. Macaulay, S.l.: Kessinger Pub., (1890), 200-? p. 55. In 479 editions] This seems to go in accordance with Nicolaus' account of the first battle. [Abbott, Jacob, "History of Cyrus the Great", New York : Harper & Brothers, (1857) p. 138. In 23 editions]

Aftermath

‘Woe is me!’ cried the king striking his thigh, ‘That I, well knowing that we should not do good to the evil, have allowed myself to be carried away by clever speeches, and have raised up this Mardian to be such a mischief to me. Still, he shall not succeed.’ [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-350.9]

While Cambyses met with his son and organized the 350,000+ men, Astyages armed men under and over age for fighting battles, and from all over the empire, to come. [Herodotus, "The History of Herodotus", tr. G. C. Macaulay, S.l.: Kessinger Pub., (1890), 200-? p. 54. In 479 editions] And with 1,205,000+ men, Astyages marched his troops out. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 349. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-352] Most historians consider this number fantastic, but others consider it as part of the reserves. [Laymon, Charles M., "The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible: Introduction and Commentary", Abingdon Press, (1971) p.443. In 1 volume] This is due to the fact that in the battles to come, no more than 200,000 men from either side would actually take to the field. [Duncker, Max, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott, p. 350. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881) p. 349-352] When Astyages knew he had underestimated Cyrus, he knew putting down a revolt was not enough, but an massive invasion had to be carried out, so the invasion of Persia by Astyages, had begun. [Clare, Smith, Israel, "The unrivaled history of the world, containing a full and complete record of the human race from the earliest historical period to the present time, embracing a general survey of the progress of mankind in national and social life, civil government, religion, literature, science and art"... Chicago, The Werner Co., (1893) p.244. In 4 editions]

Historical assessment

The battle was the first major blow to the Medes, as this was the first time in a long time that Media had been defeated in a battle. [ [http://www.forumromanum.org/literature/justin/english/index.html Justin, "Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus"] I, 6 en icon] As Cyrus's first Persian victory in the war, it did not go well with Astyages, the king of the Medes. [Athenaeus ("Deipnosophistae"), 1.14 (633e) 6:419 (Quotes)] It also caused the northern satraps to revolt, and ally their provinces with Persia. [Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993) p. 146-147. In 1 volume] Years after the war, the Persians and Medes still held a deep appreciation of one another, which some Medes were allowed to become part of the Persian Immortals. [Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993) p. 149. In 1 volume] This battle started a chain reaction of events which led Persia to become the most powerful state for the next quarter of a century. [All sources listed]

ee also

*Battle of the Persian Border

Notes

References

*The Nabonidus Cylinder from Sippar.
*Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993). In 1 volume. ISBN 0521200911
*Max Duncker, "The History of Antiquity", tr. Evelyn Abbott. London, Richard Bentley * Son (1881). ISBN 2792979279
*Chisholm, Hugh, "The Encyclopædia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information", Cambridge, England; New York: At the University Press, (1910). ISBN 5727739257
*Laymon, Charles M., "The Interpreter's One Volume Commentary on the Bible: Introduction and Commentary", Abingdon Press, (1971). ISBN 0687192994
*Herodotus, Godley A. D., "Herodotus", I, 124. London, W. Heinemann; New York, G.P. Putnam's Sons, (1921-24). In 481 Editions. ISBN 1610641161
*James Ussher, Larry Pierce, Marion Pierce, "The Annals of the World", p.109. Green Forest, AR : Master Books (2006). In 13 editions. ISBN 0890515107
*Abbott, Jacob, "History of Cyrus the Great", New York : Harper & Brothers, (1857). In 23 editions. ISBN 2535673825
*Herodotus, "The History of Herodotus", tr. G. C. Macaulay, S.l.: Kessinger Pub., (1890), 200-? In 479 editions. ISBN 1082779510
*Clare, Smith, Israel, "The unrivaled history of the world, containing a full and complete record of the human race from the earliest historical period to the present time, embracing a general survey of the progress of mankind in national and social life, civil government, religion, literature, science and art"... Chicago, The Werner Co., (1893). In 4 editions. ISBN 2791262279

Bibliography

Classical sources

*The Nabonidus Chronicle of the Babylonian Chronicles
*Herodotus ("The Histories") I, 127-128
*Ctesias ("Persica")
* [http://www.forumromanum.org/literature/justin/english/index.html Justin, "Epitome of the Philippic History of Pompeius Trogus"] I, 6 en icon
*Fragments of Nicolaus of Damascus
*Strabo ("History") XV, 3.8
*Athenaeus ("Deipnosophistae"), 1.14 (633e) 6:419 (Quotes)

Modern sources

* Rawlinson, George (1885). "The Seven Great Monarchies of the Eastern World", New York, John B. Eldan Press, reprint (2007) p. 120-121. In 4 volumes. ISBN 9781428647
* Fischer, W.B., Ilya Gershevitch, and Ehsan Yarshster, "The Cambridge History of Iran", Cambridge University Press (1993) p. 145. In 1 volume. ISBN 0521200911
* Stearns, Peter N., and Langer, William L. (2004). "The Encyclopedia of World History: Ancient, Medieval, and Modern, Chronologically Arranged", Boston, Houghton Mifflin Press, (2001) p. 40. In 6 editions. ISBN 0395652375

External links

* [http://books.google.com/books?id=ms30qA6nyMsC&pg=PA16&dq=ancient+history+battle+of+hyrba&sig=ACfU3U0WAMl3d06vH-QUtQF0gfd9B812YQ M. A. Dandamaev, "A Political History of the Achaemenid Empire", tr. W. J. Vogelsang, (1989)] the battle.
* [http://books.google.com/books?id=wYIPAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA774&dq=battle+of+hyrba James Orr, "The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia", Chicago, The Howard-Severance Co. (1915)] the combatants.
* Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible other details.
* [http://www.livius.org/ct-cz/cyrus_I/babylon02.html Cyrus takes Babylon: the Nabonidus chronicle] in Nabonidus's chronicle he says Cyrus fought the last battle in 550 BC, but in another chronicle he says the revolt began in the summer of 553 BC and the first battle took place a little later, which we get a deduced date of 552 BC for the possible date of the first battle. Details from Herodotus' and Nicolas' accounts also suggest the actual battle took place half a year after the revolt, which if one counts forward from the summer of 553 BC, one would reach the first month of 552 BC. This would have also given Cambyses ample time to gather the army and allies for battle.