# Harpagos — Histories character guide

> Harpagos in Histories by Herodotus.

**Role:** supporting

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

## Snapshot

A Median courtier ordered to kill the infant Cyrus, who instead saves the boy and later helps him topple his own king.

## Who they are

Astyages commands Harpagos to dispose of the baby Cyrus, but Harpagos passes the child to a herdsman and keeps his hands clean, a decision that will return to haunt the king. Years later, when Cyrus grows up and the truth comes out, Astyages punishes Harpagos in the most gruesome way Herodotus records, and Harpagos turns his resentment into action by rallying the Median nobles to Cyrus's side. He is the hinge between Median and Persian power, a man whose private grievance reshapes the political map of Asia.

## 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_mede
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/histories_se/characters