Harpagus Harpagus , also known as Harpagos or Hypargus ( Ancient Greek Ἅρπαγος ; Akkadian : " Arbaku " ) , 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 . Biography . 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 . Myth . Herodotus accounts for the turn of Harpagus ' support to a version of the cannibal feast of Thyestes . He reports that Astyages , after having a dream that his daughter , Mandane , would give birth to a king who would overthrow him , ordered Harpagus to expose the child at birth . Harpagus , reluctant to spill his own royal blood , gave the child ( Cyrus ) to a shepherd named Mitradates , who raised him as his own son . Ten years later , when Cyrus was discovered alive , Astyages cruelly punished Harpagus by killing Harpagus ' only son and feeding him to the courtier during a banquet . It is said that Harpagus did not react during the banquet , other than to gather the pieces of his son and remove them for burial . Astyages then asked his Magi ( priests ) for their advice about the fate of Cyrus . They told him that the boy , who had been discovered while playing king of the mountain with his friends , had fulfilled the prophecy of becoming a king , albeit in play , and was no longer a danger . On their advice , Astyages sent Cyrus to his parents , Cambyses I and Mandane , in Anšan ( southwestern Iran near Shiraz ) . Harpagus bided his time , sending gifts to Cyrus to keep contact with him , as he worked to turn the nobles of Media against Astyages . When they were ready , he sent a message to Cyrus , hidden in the belly of a hare , informing him the Medians would mutiny on the field , should he take arms against his grandfather . Harpagus in historical texts . Herodotus , " The Histories " : " Astyages , as soon as Cyrus was born , sent for Harpagus , a man of his own house and the most faithful of the Medes . . . " < br > " When Cyrus beheld the Lydians arranging themselves in order of battle on this plain , fearful of the strength of their cavalry , he adopted a device which Harpagus , one of the Medes , suggested to him . He collected together all the camels that had come in the train of his army to carry the provisions and the baggage , and taking off their loads , he mounted riders upon them accoutred as horsemen . These he commanded to advance in front of his other troops against the Lydian horse . . . " < br > " Astyages , meanwhile , took the son of Harpagus , and slew him , after which he cut him in pieces , and roasted some portions before the fire , and boiled others . . . " < br > " When Cyrus grew to manhood , and became known as the bravest and most popular of all his compeers , Harpagus , who was bent on revenging himself upon Astyages , began to pay him court by gifts and messages . . . " < br > " Upon Mazares ' death , Harpagus was sent down to the coast to succeed to his command . He also was of the race of the Medes , being the man whom the Median king , Astyages , feasted at the unholy banquet , and who lent his aid to place Cyrus upon the throne . . . " < br > " After conquering the Ionians , Harpagus proceeded to attack the Carians , the Caunians , and the Lycians . The Ionians and Aeolians were forced to serve in his army . . . " " The Chronicle of Nabonidus " : " King Astyages called up his troops and marched against Cyrus , king of Anšan ( southwest Iran ) , in order to meet him in battle . The army of Astyages revolted against him and in fetters they delivered him to Cyrus . Cyrus marched against the country Ecbatana ; the royal residence he seized ; silver , gold , other valuables of the country Ecbatana he took as booty and brought to Anšan . " Military career . After the defeat of Astyages ( 550 BC ) Harpagus started - according to Herodotus - a military career under the new ruler Cyrus II : Later life . After the completion of his conquests , Harpagus was appointed Satrap of Asia Minor . His descendents are claimed as the royal family of Lycia in what is now southwest Turkey .