Harpagos

Family: Median · Role: adviser · First appears: Book 1 · §78–83

In Book 1, Astyages trusted Harpagos, his kinsman, and made him manager of his affairs. When Astyages learned that Harpagos had spared and concealed the survival of the child, he hid his anger; at dinner, he had Harpagos’s son killed and served to him. Harpagos later turned against Astyages: he secretly told Cyrus of the attempt on his life, urged him to revolt, and persuaded Median leaders to make him king. Harpagos sought Cyrus’s friendship and sent him gifts, “because he desired to take vengeance on Astyages.”

After Cyrus appointed him commander, Harpagos campaigned in Ionia and brought the Carians into subjection. The Cnidians surrendered to him, the Pedasians were conquered, and he gained possession of Caunos; after the defeat at Xanthos, its men were slain in battle. Later, in Book 6, Harpagos was among those who put Histiaios to death at Sardis.