33 Harpagus Put in Command (§162)

Herodotus reminds us that Ηarpagus, the Μede whom Cyrus now appoints as his commander in this part of his empire, was the very one who had dined on his own son’s flesh and who had later helped Cyrus become king. Surely the historian is suggesting that the region was deemed sufficiently important to require a general of the stature of Harpagus. Harpagus quickly proves himself worthy, as he captures the Ionian cities by means of large mounds of dirt drawn up against the walls of the cities.