He supplanted an empire led by Astyages, establishing a capital at Ecbatana.
According to legend, this leader's head was put in a jar of blood by Tomyris, the queen of the Massagetae. He supplanted an empire led by Astyages, establishing a capital at Ecbatana. He fought to a draw at Pteria with (*) Croesus of Lydia, but he dealt the Lydians a final defeat by taking Sardis in the Battle of Thymbra. Xenophon wrote a biography of this ruler, who conquered Babylon, freeing the Jews from the Babylonian Captivity. For 10 points, name this father of Cambyses who defeated the Median Empire as the founder of the Achaemenid Persian dynasty.
According to legend, this leader's head was put in a jar of blood by Tomyris, the queen of the Massagetae.
{Cyrus} the {Great} [or {Cyrus II}]