Cambyses I of Anshan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cambyses I, Old Persian: Kambūjiya, 'the Elder' (c. 600 BC – 559 BC) was King of Anshan from c. 580 to 559 BC and was the father of Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great). His name in Greek was Καμβύσης, whence the Latin Cambyses.

Cambyses was an early member of the Achaemenid dynasty. He was apparently a great-grandson of its founder Achaemenes, grandson of Teispes of Anshan and son of Cyrus I of Anshan. His paternal uncle reigned as Ariaramnes of Persia and his first cousin as Arsames of Persia.

According to Herodotus, Cambyses was "a man of good family and quiet habits". He reigned under the overlordship of Astyages, King of Media. He was reportedly married to Princess Mandane of Media, a daughter to Astyages and Princess Aryenis of Lydia. His wife was reportedly a granddaughter to both Cyaxares of Media and Alyattes II of Lydia. The result of their marriage was the birth of his successor Cyrus the Great.

According to Herodotus, Astyages chose Cambyses as a son-in-law because he considered him to pose no threat to the Medean throne. This was not the case with Cyrus II who would grow to depose his grandfather.