| Phraortes | |
|---|---|
| King of the Medes | |
| Reign | 678 – 625 BCE |
| Predecessor | Deioces |
| Successor | Cyaxares |
| Died | 625 BCE |
| Dynasty | Median dynasty |
| Father | Deioces |
| Religion | Ancient Iranian religion |
Phraortes,[a] son ofDeioces, was the second king of theMedian kingdom.
Like his father Deioces, Phraortes started wars againstAssyria, but was defeated and killed by the Assyrian king, probablyAshurbanipal (r. 668-631 BCE).
All information about him is fromHerodotus. According to him (1.102), Phraortes was the son of Deioces and united all Median tribes into a single state. He also subjugated thePersians andParthians and other nations ofancient Iran. He ruled for twenty-two years (c. 675 – c. 653 BC), however, some scholars assume that he ruled for fifty-three years, c. 678 – c. 625. Phraortes is commonly identified withKashtariti, a chieftain in Media, although some scholars consider such an identification doubtful. He was later succeeded by his sonCyaxares.[4]
