Very little is mentioned about the Medes Civilization in Assyrian and Babylonian history records. The writings of ancient historians and also two chapters of the holy Bible refer to the Medes Civilization. According to Iranvisitor website, the Medes themselves left no written records from the pre-Achaemenid era or the zenith of the Medes Empire.
It is certain that in the early 1st millennium BC, Indo-Iranian nomads began to settle in the western and northwestern Iran. It was at that time that they intermingled with native Iranians.
The first mention of the Medes Civilizations in Assyrian records associates them with the Scythians with whom they shared tribal names, suggesting a certain link between the two tribes. The borders of their lands were never demarked, but it was in an area which is currently northwestern Iran; bordering Mesopotamia to the east, stretching south to the Persian Gulf (Elam, Parthian) and Caspian Sea and the Caucasus to the north.
Assyrian reliance on the Silk Road trade zone made Medes a target for empire building and military diplomacy. Records tell us that Median tribes paid tribute to their powerful neighbors, but were never completely conquered by them. It is likely that it was this aggression that served to unite the Median tribes, creating a formidable military power that in turn began to threaten the Assyrian lands.
The writings of the 5th century Greek historian ’Herodotus’ mentions four kings named Deioces, Phraortes, Cyaxeres and Astyages who ruled a united Medes from the beginning of the 7th century BC to the middle of the 5th century BC. However, the nature of his account and inconsistency with other sources throws doubt on this. It is likely that Herodotus simplified a complex oral tradition that was about the origins of the later Achaemenid Empire, confirming a myth about the origins of a civilization as historical fact.
What is certain is that during the reign of Cyaxares, Medes had developed from being a loose confederation of tribal groupings into a nation under a single king who exacted tribute from Persians, Armenians, Parthians and Aryans. That the name of the Median capital, Ecbatana, meant “place of assembly“ adds further weight to the tribal confederation explanation of the origins of the empire.
Cyaxares defeated the Assyrian Empire badly by destroying their religious capital, Ashur in 614 BC. Two years later, while allied with Babylon, the Assyrian capital Nineveh also fell to the Medes.
The Median Empire was at its zenith at that time, encompassing Armenia, Assyria and Cappadocia (now Eastern Turkey) in the west and stretching as far as the Oxus River in the east.
However, Astyages, the son of Cyaxares, was to be the last of the Median kings. In response to the growing power of a coalition of tribes under the leadership of King Cyrus of Anshan, Astyages sent an army to Persia (modern-day Fars province). After brief skirmishes, the army deserted their king, captured him and handed him over to Cyrus in 550 BC.

Deputy governor-general of Hamedan for logistics and development of human resources said Malayer procures raw materials required for basket-weaving nationwide.
Mohammad Nasser Nikbakht made the above comment in the first nationwide specialized exhibition of basket-weaving in Malayer on Sunday, IRNA reported.
“It is crucial that innovative policies are pursued for attracting tourists to Hamedan,“ he added.
The official noted that 500 artifacts of the province have been registered as national heritage.
“Hamedan ranks first in the country for its moderate climatic conditions, handicrafts and tourism attractions,“ he observed.
Meanwhile, addressing the same event, head of the provincial Cultural Heritage, Handicrafts and Tourism Department, Assadollah Bayat said, “Works from the provinces of Gilan, Qom, Hamedan, Markazi and Tehran are put on display and sold during the six-day event.“
He noted that the exhibition aims to boost the quality of basket-weaving and promote the industry nationwide.
Bayat opined that Malayer has a total of 3,088 handicrafts workshops where 5,275 people are employed.
“Of the said figure, 2,325 workshops are related to wood products,“ he concluded.

The study of women’s status in ancient Persia, as mentioned in Zoroastrian texts such as the Avesta, shows that at a time when many women in the world were deprived of their basic rights, women enjoyed social and legal freedom and were treated with great respect.
According to Presstv, Avesta texts ask both genders to share responsibility and take decisions together. They are equally praised for their good deeds rather than their gender, wealth or power.
In ancient Persia, women could take the throne in case the king passed away and the crown prince was still a minor. One such woman was Pourandokht, the first Persian queen regent in Ctesiphon. Ancient scriptures describe her as a wise, just and good-natured woman who did her best to revive the Sassanid sovereignty.
Avestan texts address the issue of leadership and tell us that a ruler may be a woman as well as a man.
Equal Responsibility
Zoroastrian texts advise parents to encourage their offspring to tread the path of knowledge and explain that women have an equal responsibility in the dissemination of knowledge and science.
“Whatever a man or a woman knows that is good and right, not only should they practice, but inform others to perform accordingly“. (Yasna 41/2)
Female members of the ancient Persian society were allowed to participate in religious ceremonies and sometimes even head the event as the priest.
Persian women were free to choose their spouse and Zoroaster urged them to make their decision based on wisdom.
Regarding young couples, they are advised to remain faithful, share their joy and sorrow, to adhere to the principles of love and to try to surpass one another in truth and righteousness.
Social Role
Reference has also been found on the role of Persian women in society. According to Greek historian and biographer Plutarch, Persian women were active members of their society and good fighters.
There were numerous female fighters among the ranks of the Sassanid army. They have been described as excellent and competent soldiers.
According to Pahlavi texts such as the Din-Kard, women could manage their property, represent their husbands at court, chair courtrooms and perform religious ceremonies. Ancient documents found at Persepolis, Susa and other Mesopotamian cities show that both noble and common women enjoyed economic independence in Persia.
They owned property, were involved in managing their assets, had employment opportunities and earned wages.
Although noble Persian women had to act within a defined framework set by the king, they also enjoyed economic independence and had control over their wealth.
Women were allowed to visit their estates and administer their assets individually or with the help of their husbands.
Ancient documents mention common women by the title bestowed upon them due to the nature of their work. The level of skill determined a female manager’s title.
The highest-ranking female workers were known as Arashshara (great chief). They managed female and male workers, and received the highest salary among their peers.
Historical documents show that male and female workers received equal pay and there were an equal number of workers from both genders.

The natural park known as ’Darband’ in the village of Alvaneq, East Azarbaijan province, is one of the most beautiful natural attractions of northwestern Iran which has preserved its God-given beauties despite this year’s drought.
Every year, a large number of the people of province visit this majestic park to spend a few hours of leisure time enjoying Mother Nature.
At the entrance of the park, which is away from the noise and bustle of city life, there is a magnificent spring that has pure and clean water. Near the spring, colorful plants and flowers grow, creating an amazing sight which all tourists cherish when they visit the area.
This picturesque site is host to a large number of tourists in spring and summer. Despite the drought of this year, the park’s plants and flowers are amazingly pretty, catching the eyes of all tourists.
The village of Alvaneq is some 32 kilometers from Azarshahr. Some 750 people live in the unique village.