The Seven Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World, Vol 3: Media: The History, Geography, and Antiquities of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, and Sassanian or New Persian Empire; with Maps and Illustrations.
1870
The Seven Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World, Vol 3: Media: The History, Geography, and Antiquities of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, and Sassanian or New Persian Empire; with Maps and Illustrations.
1870
History - Ancient
The Seven Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World, Vol 3: Media, written by George Rawlinson and first published in 1870, provides a comprehensive historical account of the ancient region of Media. This volume explores its geography, culture, and historical significance, detailing the landscape, social structure, and interactions with neighboring civilizations. Rawlinson examines the division of Media into districts, the main cities, and the environmental factors that shaped its history, making it a valuable resource for understanding the ancient Eastern world.
About The Seven Great Monarchies of the Ancient Eastern World, Vol 3: Media: The History, Geography, and Antiquities of Chaldaea, Assyria, Babylon, Media, Persia, Parthia, and Sassanian or New Persian Empire; with Maps and Illustrations.
Chapter Summaries
- 1
- Detailed geographical description of Media, including its mountainous regions, climate zones, major rivers, and natural boundaries. Establishes the physical foundation for understanding Median power and its strategic position.
- 2
- Analysis of Media's varied climate from the harsh winters of Azerbijan to the desert conditions of the plateau, along with natural resources including minerals, agriculture, and the famous Nisaean horses.
- 3
- Examination of Median ethnic character, their Iranic origins, military customs, luxury in dress and court life, and the gradual corruption that weakened their martial spirit.
Key Themes
- Rise and Fall of Empires
- The cyclical nature of imperial power, showing how the hardy Medes conquered the luxurious Assyrians, only to become corrupted by luxury themselves and fall to the simpler Persians.
- Geography and Power
- The crucial role of Media's mountainous geography in providing natural defenses and breeding hardy warriors, while also examining how terrain shaped military strategy and political boundaries.
- Religious Transformation
- The evolution of Median religion from early Zoroastrianism through Magian influence, and how religious motivations may have driven the Persian revolt against Median rule.
Characters
- Cyaxares(protagonist)
- The great Median king who consolidated the Median Empire, conquered Assyria, and established Media as a major power. Known for his military reforms and organizational abilities.
- Astyages(major)
- The last Median king, son of Cyaxares. Described as handsome, cautious, and generous but unwarlike and luxury-loving, leading to the empire's downfall.
- Cyrus(major)
- The Persian prince who revolted against Median rule and conquered the empire. Portrayed as ambitious, religiously motivated, and militarily skilled.
- Deioces(minor)
- Legendary first king of the Medes according to Herodotus, though Rawlinson questions his historical existence.
- Phraortes(minor)
- Legendary Median king, father of Cyaxares according to Herodotus, killed in battle against Assyrians.
- Nabopolassar(major)
- Babylonian general who betrayed Assyria and allied with Cyaxares to destroy Nineveh, founding the Neo-Babylonian Empire.
