# Cyrus — Histories character guide

> Cyrus in Histories by Herodotus.

**Role:** major

**Also known as:** Cambyses, Smerdis, king Cambyses

**First appearance:** 0002-book-i-clio

## Snapshot

The shepherd's son who toppled empires and founded Persia's, choosing survival over loyalty when necessity demanded he kill his master or die.

## Who they are

Cyrus rises from obscure origins to become the founder of the Persian Empire, the conqueror who brings Croesus of Lydia and Babylon under his sway. His career embodies Herodotus's fascination with how fortune reverses: the man who mourned his wife Cassandane with empire-wide grief is himself brought low at the height of his power. His conquests set the stage for the Persian Wars, making him the architect of the empire his successors Cambyses and Darius will inherit and expand.

## Relationships

### [Cambyses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cambyses)

_family_

Cambyses is the son and successor of Cyrus, inheriting his empire and often acting in his shadow.

### [Darius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/darius)

_family_

Darius is a distant relative and later successor to Cyrus, though not a direct descendant.

### [Astyages](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/astyages)

_family_

Astyages is Cyrus's grandfather, who tried to kill him as an infant due to a prophecy.

### [Miltiades](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/miltiades)

_rivalry_

Miltiades, a Greek general, opposes Cyrus's expansionist policies and fights against Persia.

### [Psammetichos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/psammetichos)

_rivalry_

Psammetichos, an Egyptian pharaoh, is conquered and deposed by Cyrus's forces.

### [Prexaspes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/prexaspes)

_professional_

Prexaspes is a loyal courtier and messenger for Cyrus, carrying out sensitive tasks.

### [Xerxes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/xerxes)

_family_

Xerxes is the grandson of Cyrus, continuing the Achaemenid dynasty's legacy.

### [Harpagos](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/harpagos)

_psychological_

Harpagos, once a loyal Median general, is manipulated by Cyrus and later becomes his ally after a cruel test of loyalty.

### [Croesus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/croesus)

_professional_

Croesus, the defeated Lydian king, becomes a trusted advisor to Cyrus after his capture.

### [Cambyses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cambyses)

_family_

Cambyses is the son and successor of Cyrus, inheriting his empire and often acting in his shadow.

### [Cambyses](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cambyses)

_family_

Cambyses is the son and successor of Cyrus, inheriting his empire and often acting in his shadow.

### [Darius](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/darius)

_family_

Darius is a distant relative and later successor to Cyrus, though not a direct descendant.

## In the story

### [Histories](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/histories)

Founder of the Persian Empire, whose conquests set the stage for later conflicts with Greece.

### [Book I: Clio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-i-clio)

King of Persia, conqueror of Lydia, and commander of the expedition against the Massagetae.

### [Book I: Clio](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-i-clio)

Son of Cyrus, entrusted with Croesus and the kingdom before the campaign.

### [Book II: Euterpe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-ii-euterpe)

Son of Cyrus, inherits the Persian throne and leads an army against Egypt.

### [Book III: Thaleia](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-iii-thaleia)

King of Persia, depicted as mad for deriding Egyptian religious rites and attempting to kill Croesus.

### [Book IX: Calliope](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-ix-calliope)

In a flashback, advises the Persians to remain on poor, rugged land to maintain their warrior spirit and avoid becoming subjects.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cyrus
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters