Cyaxares (Medes)

Cyaxares was king of the Medes, an ancient Iranian people, and a central figure in the destruction of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. He expanded Median power and formed an alliance with Nabopolassar, king of Babylon, against their common Assyrian enemy.

In −614, Median forces captured Assur, one of Assyria's principal cities. In −612, the combined Median and Babylonian armies conquered Nineveh, ending Assyrian dominance over the region.

His victories were significant for Jewish history because Assyria had previously destroyed the northern Kingdom of Israel and deported many of its inhabitants. The collapse of Assyria also reshaped the political environment of Judah and enabled Babylon's subsequent rise.