Astiages: Difference between revisions
(Created page with 'Anon. (1598) ==Historical Records== St. John’s College ms. Acc.v.E.1, college ''Computus Hebdomalis'' (16-22 January): <br> <br> fol. 57 v<br> :A tragedy of Astiages…') |
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==Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues== | ==Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues== | ||
Summary from ''Encyclopedia Britannica'': | |||
<blockquote>The last king of the Median empire (reigned 585–550 bc). According to Herodotus, the Achaemenian Cyrus the Great was Astyages’ grandson through his daughter Mandane, but this relationship is probably legendary. According to Babylonian inscriptions, Cyrus, king of Anshan (in southwestern Iran), began war against Astyages in 553 bc; in 550 the Median troops rebelled, and Astyages was taken prisoner. Then Cyrus occupied and plundered Ecbatana, the Median capital. </blockquote> | <blockquote>The last king of the Median empire (reigned 585–550 bc). According to Herodotus, the Achaemenian Cyrus the Great was Astyages’ grandson through his daughter Mandane, but this relationship is probably legendary. According to Babylonian inscriptions, Cyrus, king of Anshan (in southwestern Iran), began war against Astyages in 553 bc; in 550 the Median troops rebelled, and Astyages was taken prisoner. Then Cyrus occupied and plundered Ecbatana, the Median capital. </blockquote> | ||
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The main source of information on Astyages is [http://www.archive.org/stream/historiesofherod00herorich#page/42/mode/2up/search/astyages Herodotus's ''Histories'']. The action of the lost play most likely involved the following major events in the tale of Astyages: | |||
: *Astyages has a prophetic dream that his daughter Mandane will give birth to a son (Cyrus) who ruins Astyages' empire | |||
: *He marries his daughter Mandane off to Cambyses I, but has another, similar prophetic dream. | |||
: *Astyages sends a general, Harpagus, to kill the child when it is born, but Harpagus instead gives the child to shepherds to raise. | |||
: *Cyrus is eventually found alive, aged 10. Astyages deceives Harpagus into eating his own son at a banquet, as punishment for not killing Cyrus as commanded. | |||
: *Harpagus, seeking vengeance, encourages Cyrus to rebel against Astyages. | |||
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==References to the Play== | ==References to the Play== | ||
Revision as of 07:14, 7 March 2010
Historical Records
St. John’s College ms. Acc.v.E.1, college Computus Hebdomalis (16-22 January):
fol. 57 v
- A tragedy of Astiages/
- Acted post 30a <...>os in
- aedibus Praesidentis
fol. 58
- Eadem tragoedia
- Astiages publice acta
- in Aula/
(Quoted by Elliott-Nelson, REED Oxford I.245)
Theatrical Provenance
Produced at St. John’s College, Oxford, in 1597-8. Probably written in Latin.
Probable Genre(s)
Latin (?) Tragedy (Harbage)
Possible Narrative and Dramatic Sources or Analogues
Summary from Encyclopedia Britannica:
The last king of the Median empire (reigned 585–550 bc). According to Herodotus, the Achaemenian Cyrus the Great was Astyages’ grandson through his daughter Mandane, but this relationship is probably legendary. According to Babylonian inscriptions, Cyrus, king of Anshan (in southwestern Iran), began war against Astyages in 553 bc; in 550 the Median troops rebelled, and Astyages was taken prisoner. Then Cyrus occupied and plundered Ecbatana, the Median capital.
The main source of information on Astyages is Herodotus's Histories. The action of the lost play most likely involved the following major events in the tale of Astyages:
- *Astyages has a prophetic dream that his daughter Mandane will give birth to a son (Cyrus) who ruins Astyages' empire
- *He marries his daughter Mandane off to Cambyses I, but has another, similar prophetic dream.
- *Astyages sends a general, Harpagus, to kill the child when it is born, but Harpagus instead gives the child to shepherds to raise.
- *Cyrus is eventually found alive, aged 10. Astyages deceives Harpagus into eating his own son at a banquet, as punishment for not killing Cyrus as commanded.
- *Harpagus, seeking vengeance, encourages Cyrus to rebel against Astyages.
References to the Play
Information needed.
Critical Commentary
Information needed.
For What It's Worth
Information needed.
Works Cited
Encyclopedia Britannica
REED Oxford I.
Site created and maintained by Dana F. Sutton, University of California, Irvine; updated David McInnis 07 March 2010.