Histories

Then, with these two strong nations at his back, he subjugated one nation of Asia (continent)Asia after another, until he marched against the Assyrians; that is, against those of the Assyrians who held Nineveh (deserted settlement), Ninawa, Iraq, AsiaNinus. These had formerly been rulers of all; but now their allies had deserted them and they were left alone, though well-off themselves. Marching against these Assyrians, then, Phraortes and most of his army perished, after he had reigned twenty-two years.

At his death he was succeeded by his son Cyaxares. He is said to have been a much greater soldier than his ancestors: it was he who first organized the men of Asia (continent)Asia in companies and posted each arm apart, the spearmen and archers and cavalry: before this they were all mingled together in confusion.

This was the king who fought against the Lydians when the day was turned to night in the battle, and who united under his dominion all of Asia (continent)Asia that is beyond the river Halys River (river), Turkey, Asia Halys. Collecting all his subjects, he marched against Nineveh (deserted settlement), Ninawa, Iraq, AsiaNinus, wanting to avenge his father and to destroy the city.

He defeated the Assyrians in battle; but while he was besieging their city, a great army of Scythians came down upon him, led by their king Madyes son of Protothyes. They had invaded Asia (continent)Asia after they had driven the Cimmerians out of Europe (continent)Europe: pursuing them in their flight, the Scythians came to the Median country.[*](This is the same story as that related in the early chapters of Book IV. The Scythians, apparently, marched eastwards along the northern slope of the Bol'soj Kavkaz [46.833,42] (mountain range), Asia Caucasus, turning south between the end of the range and the Caspian. But Herodotus' geography in this story is difficult to follow.—The “Saspires” are in Armenia (region (general)), AsiaArmenia.)

It is a thirty days' journey for an unencumbered man from the Maeetian lake[*](The Maeetian lake is the Sea of Azov .) to the river Poti [41.683,42.183] (inhabited place), regions under republican jurisdiction, Georgia, Asia Phasis and the land of the Colchi; from the Colchi it is an easy matter to cross into Media: there is only one nation between, the Saspires; to pass these is to be in Media.

Nevertheless, it was not by this way that the Scythians entered; they turned aside and came by the upper and much longer way, keeping the Caucasian mountains on their right. There, the Medes met the Scythians, who defeated them in battle, deprived them of their rule, and made themselves masters of all Asia (continent)Asia.