In the mid-seventh century BCE, the geopolitical landscape of the Near East was on the verge of a fundamental transformation. The Neo-Assyrian Empire, which had dominated the region for centuries with its ruthless military power and policy of terror, had entered its final stage of decline. Costly civil wars, continuous rebellions in Babylon, and military pressures on its borders had weakened the foundations of this seemingly invincible empire. This decline created a power vacuum that drew in emerging forces and set the stage for the birth of a new order.
In this turbulent context, the Median Kingdom, under the leadership of Cyaxares (Huvakhshatra), transformed from a tribal confederation into an organized and centralized military power. Understanding the constant threat of Assyria, Cyaxares organized his army based on specialization (spearmen, archers, and cavalry) and, inspired by his enemy, employed advanced siege techniques. These reforms turned the Medes into a force that was not only capable of defense but also of attack.
Simultaneously, in southern Mesopotamia, the Neo-Babylonian Empire under the leadership of Nabopolassar had regained its independence from Assyria. Cyaxares and Nabopolassar, understanding their common enemy, formed a strategic alliance. This pact, which was strengthened by political marriages between the two royal families, allied the two emerging powers of the region for the final destruction of Assyria. This alliance changed the balance of power in the Near East forever.
The culmination of this alliance was the joint campaign against the Assyrian Empire. In 614 BCE, the Medes captured the religious capital of Assyria, and two years later, in 612 BCE, the allied armies of Media and Babylon conquered and reduced to a pile of ashes the magnificent capital of Assyria, Nineveh, after a grueling siege. The fall of Nineveh, one of the most shocking events of the ancient world, put an end to the dominion of the Assyrian Empire forever.
With the destruction of Assyria, the victors divided its territory among themselves. The Medes gained control of northern Mesopotamia and large parts of eastern Anatolia. This westward expansion brought the Medes into direct conflict with the powerful kingdom of Lydia under the rule of Alyattes. The result of this confrontation was a five-year war of attrition in which neither side could achieve a decisive victory.
The final battle of this war ended dramatically and unexpectedly on May 28, 585 BCE. During the battle, a total solar eclipse occurred, turning day into night. This celestial phenomenon, said to have been predicted by the Greek philosopher Thales, was interpreted as a divine sign by both armies, and they immediately ceased fighting. This event became known as the "Battle of the Eclipse."
The war ended with a peace treaty mediated by the Babylonians. According to this treaty, the Halys River (modern-day Kızılırmak) was established as the border between the two kingdoms, and this peace was also guaranteed by a political marriage between the children of the two kings. Cyaxares died shortly after this treaty, leaving his vast and powerful kingdom to his son, Astyages (Ishtuvegu or Azhidahak).
The world into which Kourosh was born (circa 600 to 590 BCE) was a multipolar world governed by four great powers: the Median Empire, the Neo-Babylonian Empire, the Kingdom of Lydia, and the Kingdom of Egypt. In this world, the Persians, under the rule of the kings of Anshan, were a local power and a vassal of the Median Empire. No one at that time could have imagined that from this small land, a force would arise that would swallow all these ancient empires one after another.