# Harpagos — Histories character guide

> Harpagos in Histories by Herodotus.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Harpagos a Mede, Harpagos Astyages

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

## Snapshot

A Mede whom Astyages ordered to expose the infant Cyrus, and who instead turned the king's cruelty into the instrument of his own revenge.

## Who they are

Harpagos moves through the Median court as a man whose loyalty has been tested and found wanting, not by him but by his king. When Astyages forces him to eat his own son, the outrage does not explode at once but settles into a patient, calculating hatred that will eventually hand the kingdom to Cyrus. His quiet defection is one of the first hinges on which the whole Persian rise turns, showing how a single act of royal savagery can undo a dynasty.

## Relationships

### [Cyrus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters/cyrus)

_psychological_

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

## In the story

### [Book VI: Erato](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/chapters/book-vi-erato)

Harpagos, a Persian commander, captures Histiaios after a battle at Atarneus.

## Links

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