Cambyses

Family: Persian · Role: Cyrus's father · First appears: Book 1 · §45–52

Cambyses married Mandane, and their son Cyrus was exposed on the mountains after Astyages ordered him killed. When Cyrus later told his parents how he had survived, Cambyses and Mandane spread a report that he had been reared by a bitch. Cyrus went on to overthrow Astyages’ rule, and later entrusted Croesus to Cambyses, charging him to treat Croesus well if the campaign failed.

After Cyrus died, Cambyses succeeded him and marched against Egypt. Following the surrender of Memphis, he publicly humiliated Psammenitos, then ordered his son spared and brought the king before him. After conquering Egypt, Cambyses sent Ladike back unharmed to Kyrene and appointed Aryandes ruler of the province.

Cambyses’s campaign against the Ethiopians turned back after his army suffered losses, and at Memphis he ordered Apis brought before him and wounded him with a dagger. He also sent Prexaspes to kill Smerdis, married a sister, and later died from a wound after reigning seven years and five months. Before his death, he said, “I therefore, fool that I was, sent away Prexaspes to Susa to kill Smerdis”.