page_title: Harpagus
section_title: Biography
hierarchical_section_title: Harpagus / Biography
caption_attribution_description: English: King Astyages places Harpagos in command of his army, by Jan Moy (1535-1550)
context_page_description: Harpagus, also known as Harpagos or Hypargus, was a Median general from the 6th century BC, credited by Herodotus as having put Cyrus the Great on the throne through his defection during the battle of Pasargadae.
context_section_description: According to Herodotus' Histories, Harpagus was a member of the Median royal house in service to King Astyages, the last king of Media.
  When word reached Astyages that Cyrus was gathering his forces, he ordered Harpagus, as his primary general, to lead the army against Cyrus.  After a three-day battle on the plain of Pasargadae, Harpagus took his revenge for the death of his son when he turned on the battlefield in favor of Cyrus, resulting in Astyages' defeat and the formation of the Persian Empire.
caption: King Astyages places Harpagos in command of his army, by Jan Moy (1535-1550).
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