Media (region)

Quick Facts: Who was Media (region)?

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Media (region)

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Ancient Iron Age region in northwestern Iran, center of the Median civilization.

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Origins & Early Life

Media is an Iron Age region of northwestern Iran, best known for having been the political and cultural base of the Medes. During the Achaemenid period, it comprised present-day Iranian Azerbaijan, Iranian Kurdistan and western Tabaristan. As a satrapy under Achaemenid rule, it would eventually encompass a wider region, stretching to southern Dagestan in the north. However, after the wars of Alexander the Great, the northern parts were separated due to the Partition of Babylon and became known as Atropatene, while the remaining region became known as Lesser Media. In 678 BC, Deioces united the Median tribes of Media and made the first Iranian Empire.

Career & Major Achievements

His grandson Cyaxares managed to unite all Iranian tribes of Ancient Iran and made his empire a major power. When Cyaxares died he was succeeded by his son, Astyages, who was the last king of the Median Empire. In 553 BC, Cyrus the Great, King of Persia, rebelled against his grandfather, the Median King, Astyages son of Cyaxares; he finally won a decisive victory in 550 BC resulting in Astyages' capture by his own dissatisfied nobles, who promptly turned him over to the triumphant Cyrus. After Cyrus's victory against Astyages, the Medes were subjected to their close kin, the Persians. In the new empire they retained a prominent position; in honor and war, they stood next to the Persians; their court ceremony was adopted by the new sovereigns, who in the summer months resided in Ecbatana; and many noble Medes were employed as officials, satraps and generals.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

At the beginning the Greek historians referred to the Achaemenid Empire as a Median Empire. After the assassination of the usurper Smerdis, a Mede Fravartish (Phraortes), claiming to be a scion of Cyaxares, tried to restore the Mede kingdom, but was defeated by the Persian generals and executed in Ecbatana (Darius I in the Behistun inscription). Another rebellion, in 409 BC, against Darius II was of short duration. But the Iranian tribes to the north, especially the Cadusii, were always troublesome; many abortive expeditions of the later kings against them are mentioned. Under Persian rule, the country was divided into two satrapies: the south, with Ecbatana and Rhagae (Rey near modern Tehran), Media proper, or Greater Media, as it is often called, formed in Darius I the Great's organization the eleventh satrapy, together with the Paricanians and Orthocorybantians; the north, the district of Matiane, together with the mountainous districts of the Zagros and Assyria proper (east of the Tigris) was united with the Alarodians and Saspirians in eastern Armenia, and formed the eighteenth satrapy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Media (region)

True or False: “The entire territory of Media remained under consistent political control from the Achaemenid period through the Seleucid era.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): Following Alexander's invasion, the region was partitioned; the north became Atropatene, which maintained a degree of independence.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Medians — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Ancient Iranian people who inhabited Media, known for their role in the Near East.
• Medieval commune — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Self-governing urban and rural associations providing mutual defense in the Middle Ages.
• Medieval football — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A historical term for chaotic, localized folk football played across European towns in the Middle Ages.
• Medieval renaissances — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Periods of cultural renewal across medieval Western Europe, spanning several distinct phases.
• Medieval technology — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: A survey of technological advancements, from agriculture to printing, that shaped medieval European life.
• Mediterranean and Middle East theatre of World War II — Chrono-Wiki Encyclopedia Entry: Major WWII theatre encompassing North Africa, the Mediterranean Sea, and the Middle East.

Frequently Asked Questions about Media (region)