Deioces
| Deioces | |
|---|---|
| King of Media | |
Deioces commands the Medes to set forth on their course of conquest. After a painting by Louis Boulanger (1806–1867). | |
| King of the Medes | |
| Reign | 53 regnal years c. 700–678 BC |
| Predecessor | Kingdom established |
| Successor | Phraortes |
| Died | 678 BC |
| Dynasty | Median dynasty |
| Father | Phraortes, the Old |
| Religion | Ancient Iranian religion |
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Deioces was the founder and the first king of the Median Kingdom, an ancient polity in western Asia. His name has been mentioned in different forms in various sources, including the ancient Greek historian Herodotus.
The exact date of the era of Deioces' rule is not clear and probably covered most of the first half of the 7th century BC. According to Herodotus, Deioces was the first Median king to have gained independence from the Neo-Assyrian Empire and governed for 53 years. After Deioces' death, his son, Phraortes, succeeded him.