Document Type : Research Paper
Author
Associate Professor, Department of History, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The reconstruction of Median history in modern scholarship primarily relies on two main sources: the Greek narrative, particularly Herodotus' Histories, and the Neo-Assyrian and Neo-Babylonian sources written in cuneiform. Scholars like Diakonoff (1956) regarded Herodotus as providing "the only genuine coherent history of Media." Despite his extensive use of cuneiform records related to Media, Diakonoff still validated the key events of Median history primarily through Herodotus. This reliance on Greek sources, while valuable, has shaped modern interpretations of the Median kingdom, often overshadowing the wealth of information found in contemporary cuneiform texts. This essay critically re-examines four fundamental aspects of the Median kingdom as described by Herodotus, revisiting these themes in light of cuneiform evidence. The aspects explored include four critical issues: the establishment of an empire by the Medes, the existence of a unified Median royal dynasty, the number of kings who ruled Media and their familial relationships, and whether or not the kingdom of Cyrus the Great was a vassal of Media before its rise.
Additionally, the present essay delves into the political and military developments of the late seventh century BCE, when a new force emerged in the Ancient Near East, leading to the eventual downfall of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. It argues that cuneiform sources should be prioritized over Greek accounts due to their closer proximity to the events they describe, thus offering a more direct view of Median history. The analysis also considers the biases inherent in both the Greek and cuneiform narratives, acknowledging how political and religious motives may have influenced their portrayals of events. Ultimately, the essay calls for a more nuanced understanding of the Medes, suggesting that a combination of both Greek and cuneiform sources, when critically analyzed, can offer a more comprehensive, balanced reconstruction of Median history, culture, politics, and lasting legacy.
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