Smerdis the Magian

Also known as: the Magian / the Magian Smerdis · Family: Median · Role: usurper king · First appears: Book 3 · §65–70

Life events

Smerdis the Magian became king, usurping the place of Smerdis the son of Cyrus.(Book 3 · §65–70)
- With: Cambyses
- “Thus when Cambyses had brought his life to an end, the Magian became king without disturbance, usurping the place of his namesake Smerdis the son of Cyrus”
Smerdis the Magian proclaimed freedom from military service and tribute for three years.(Book 3 · §65–70)
- “the Magian sent messengers abroad to every nation over which he ruled, and proclaimed freedom from military service and from tribute for three years.”
Otanes discovered that the king was Smerdis the Magian, not Smerdis the son of Cyrus.(Book 3 · §65–70)
- With: Otanes
- “in the eighth month it was discovered who he was in the following manner”
Phaidyme confirmed that the Magian had no ears and informed her father.(Book 3 · §65–70)
- With: Phaidyme
- “and perceiving not with difficulty but easily that her husband had no ears, so soon as it became day she sent and informed her father of that which had taken place.”

married with Phaidyme “and this same daughter the Magian at that time was keeping as his wife and living with her as with all the rest also of the wives of Cambyses.”
married with Atossa “with whom both she and thou live as wives”
with Smerdis (The Magian usurped Smerdis son of Cyrus's place as king.) “the Magian became king without disturbance, usurping the place of his namesake Smerdis the son of Cyrus”
with Cyrus (Cyrus had the Magian's ears cut off.) “he had had his ears cut off by Cyrus the son of Cambyses when he was king, for some grave offence”

Extracted from the original text of The Histories. Made with Rho MD.