Editing Medes (section)

==== Median dynasty ====
{{Main|Median dynasty}}

In Herodotus (I, 95–130), [[Deioces]] is introduced as the founder of a centralized Median state. He had been known to the Median people as "a just and incorruptible man" and when asked by the Median people to solve their possible disputes he agreed and put forward the condition that they make him "king" and build a great city at Ecbatana as the capital of the Median state.<ref>{{Harvnb|Young|1988|p=16}}</ref> Judging from the contemporary sources of the region, and disregarding<ref>{{Harvnb|Young|1988|p=19}}</ref> the account of Herodotus, puts the formation of a unified Median state during the reign of [[Cyaxares]] or later.<ref>{{Harvnb|Young|1988|p=21}}</ref>

The list of Median rulers and their period of reign is compiled according to two sources. Firstly, Herodotus who calls them "kings" and associates them with the same family. Secondly, the [[Babylonian Chronicles]] which in "Gadd's Chronicle on the Fall of Nineveh" gives its own list. A combined list stretching over 150 years is thus:

* [[Deioces]] (700s–675 BC)
* [[Phraortes]] (675–653 BC)
* [[Scythians|Scythian]] rule (652–624 BC)
* [[Cyaxares]] (624–585 BC)
* [[Astyages]] (585–550 BC)<ref name="Diakonoff1985">{{Harvnb|Diakonoff|1985|p=112}}</ref>

However, not all of these dates and personalities given by Herodotus match the other near eastern sources.<ref name="Diakonoff1985" />