The monarchy was founded by Cyaxares about 633 B. C. He extended the
Median Empire westward, by conquest, through Armenia to the river Halys
in Asia Minor. His great achievement was the capture of Nineveh, about
620 B. C., in alliance with the revolted Babylonians, and the consequent
overthrow of the Assyrian Empire. Cyaxares reigned forty years, and died
about 593 B. C.
He was succeeded by his son Astyages (_as-ty´a-jēz_), who reigned for
over thirty years,--a despot of quiet life and peaceful disposition. The
end of the Median monarchy came in 558 B. C., with his dethronement by
Cyrus of Persia.