#ECBATANA

[whencyclopedia]

Medes

The Medes or Medians were a group of Indo-Iranian-speaking people from central Asia who migrated westwards and entered northern Iran around the end of the 2nd millennium BCE. They settled in the highlands of Zagros (Zagreus in Greek) and, by the end of the 7th century BCE, founded the kingdom of Media (Mada in Old Persian).

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[ernestdescalsartwok]

CATAFRACTOS-ARTE-PINTURA-ACUARELAS-CABALLOS-ACORAZADOS-HIERRO-CABALLERIA-IMPERIO PERSA-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS por Ernest Descals Por Flickr: CATAFRACTOS-ARTE-PINTURA-ACUARELAS-CABALLOS-ACORAZADOS-HIERRO-CABALLERIA-IMPERIO PERSA-PINTOR-ERNEST DESCALS- La Caballería del Imperio Persa tenía algunas unidades de CATAFRACTOS en periodo experimental, cuando llegó ALEJANDRO MAGNO los destinó en retaguardia por su lentitud, básicamente en Susa y Ecbatana, estos caballeros blindados y sus caballos acorazados con planchas de hierro no le servían para el muy veloz Ejército Macedonio, más que nada tenían una función decorativa y de intimidación. Pintura del artista pintor Ernest Descals con acuarelas sobre papel de 27 x 35 centímetros, sumando obras en la Colección de Arte dedicada al Rey conquistador de Macedonia.

[whencyclopedfr]

Mèdes

Les Mèdes étaient un groupe de personnes de langue indo-iranienne originaires d'Asie centrale qui migrèrent vers l'ouest et pénétrèrent dans le nord de l'Iran vers la fin du deuxième millénaire avant notre ère. Ils s'installèrent sur les hauts plateaux du Zagros (Zagreus en grec) et, à la fin du VIIe siècle avant notre ère, fondèrent le royaume de Médie (Mada en vieux-persan).

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[jesus-had-relatives]

# 8 Apocryphal Book of Tobit

# 8 Apocryphal Book of Tobit

Tobit is a devout Hebrew from the tribe of Naphtali in the Northern Kingdom of Israel.  His family have turned to worshiping the golden calf “Baal” set up by King Jeroboam in Dan, but he alone goes to Jerusalem to worship God on feast days. When the Assyrians attack Israel in 722 BC Tobit and his wife Anna are deported to Nineveh. Tobit becomes a purchaser for the Assyrian ruler King…

[innerchorus]

Dark clouds approaching Ecbatana from the direction of Mount Damavand...

Mount Damavand itself, as pictured in Chapter 34. Note the lightning bolts that are also seen in the above left image from Chapter 132.

I'm reminded of the title of the 10th novel: 'A Gathering of Clouds.' Maybe that's a future chapter title? But what I really want to know is whether those clouds contain any winged apes. Or is Zahhak himself almost here?

[daryun]

Chapter 28

Farangis: Lord Daryun, you hesitated to strike down Zandeh, did you not?

Daryun: You noticed?

Farangis: So, am I right?

Daryun: I can’t count the number of men I’ve killed in their saddles. But I’ve never killed a man who fell from his horse without giving him the chance to get himself up.

Farangis: You would afford that even to a man who fights like a wild, frenzied beast? You are too soft.

Daryun: I agree.

Chapter 120

(Daryun walks up to a Lusitanian soldier sitting on the floor in terror. Daryun takes the spear from the soldier’s trembling hands saying “I’ll take that”. Daryun calls for Shabrang and rides away, while the sitting Lusitanian solder and another watch Daryun depart in disbelief(?) and exhaustion)

[bobemajses]

Esther, wife of the Persian king Ahasuerus, and her cousin Mordechai saved the lives of thousands of Jews in Susa from the intrigues of the king’s chief commander, Haman, as described in the biblical book of Esther, and is enacted every Purim in all the Jewish communities of the world. Ecbatana, the former capital of the Medes, and in our times Hamadan, was the summer residence of the Persian kings, to which Esther and Mordechai are said to have retired from the court after the death of Ahasuerus. Here they were buried in a common tomb, which is still the most important Jewish pilgrimage site in Iran.

We do not know how the original tomb looked. The modern building was constructed in 1602, in the time of Shah Abbas the Great. It follows with its double inner space, burial chamber, community room, and the dome crowning the tomb, the type of the Shiite pilgrimage sites erected for the emamzâdehs, the descendants of the holy Imams. As the first picture above shows, in the early 19th century it still stood outside of the city, but by the end of the century the local bazaar flowed around it. Thousands of Jews from Iran and other countries visited this place every year, covering a grueling trip to the desert surrounding Hamadan on foot or with caravan. According to contemporary travelogues, one could approach the tomb only with a local, through a maze of doorways and inner courtyards, with the way to the sarcophagi leading through a small rose garden and an ornate gate.

[paganimagevault]

Gold clasp of eagle, possibly belonging to the House of Karen, 1st-2nd C. CE. Found in Nahavand. The House of Karen seems to have been descended from the Parni, who were themselves an offshoot of the Scythians. Ernst Herzfeld wrote that this item probably belonged to their house.

"House of Karen (Middle Persian: Kārēn; Parthian: 𐭊𐭓𐭍𐭉, romanized: Kārēn; Persian: کارن, romanized: Kārin or Kāren), also known as Karen-Pahlav (Kārēn-Pahlaw) was one of the Seven Great Houses of Iran during the rule of Parthian and Sassanian Empires. The seat of the dynasty was at Nahavand, about 65 km south of Ecbatana (present-day Hamadan, Iran). Members of House of Karen were of notable rank in the administrative structure of the Sassanian empire in multiple periods of its four century-long history.

The Karens, Karan-Vands, Qarinvand dynasty or Karen-Pahlevi as they are also called, claimed descent from Karen, a figure of folklore and son of the equally mythical Kaveh the Blacksmith. Their historical origin however may be that the Karens, along with the House of Mihran, were descended from the Arsacids. According to Movses Khorenatsi, this descent was via one of the three sons of Phraates IV, also named Karen. The fact that Karen may also have been among the family names of the Arsacid dynasty may give credence to this theory.

The first verified reference to the Karenas was during the Arsacid era, specifically as one of the feudal houses affiliated with the Parthian court. In this they were similar to the House of Suren, the only other attested feudal house of the Parthian period. Following the conquest of the Parthians, the Karenas allied themselves with the Sassanids, at whose court they were identified as one of the so-called "Parthian clans". The Armenian Kamsarakan family was a branch of the House of Karen."

-taken from Wikipedia

[mapsontheweb]

West Asian empires in the 6th century BC

“TaschenAtlas – Weltgeschichte”, Klett-Perthes Verlag, 2004

via cartesdhistoire

According to Herodotus ("Histories", Book I), Deioces became king of the Medes in 701 BCE in western Iran. He united the six Median tribes and repelled Assyria's influence from his capital, Ecbatana. His grandson Cyaxares destroyed the Assyrian Empire with the help of the Babylonians (612 BCE), and then they divided its remnants. Cyaxares also destroyed the kingdoms of the Mannaeans and Urartu and advanced into Asia Minor, where the Halys River became the border with Lydia (585 BCE). His son Astyages succumbed to the Persians in 550 BCE, and Media became a satrapy.

In western Media, Nabopolassar founded the Chaldean dynasty ruling over the Neo-Babylonian Empire (625-539 BCE). His son Nebuchadnezzar II (605-562 BCE) restored Babylonian greatness and built the Temple of Marduk (the biblical Tower of Babel) in his capital, as well as the fortifications known as the "Median Wall," palaces, and the Hanging Gardens (on terraces). In 539 BCE, the Persians seized Babylon.

Achaemenid Persian Cyrus II conquered the Median Empire, Lydia (546 BCE), Babylon (539 BCE), and the Greek cities of western Asia Minor, Bactria, and Sogdia (529 BCE). His son Cambyses II subjugated Egypt and the Greek cities of Cyrenaica (525 BCE). The Persians then adopted the Assyrian concept of an empire uniting all the peoples of the world under one great king ("King of Kings"). Darius I conquered the Indus Valley in 512 BCE and occupied Thrace and Macedonia (513 BCE).

The Assyrians and Chaldeans had already begun to politically and civilly unify much of the Middle East, and the Persians continued this tradition. Thus, Aramaic, already used as a language of communication, was adopted as the language of Persian administration.

Despite its power, the history of the Achaemenids is poorly known because the scribes used parchment or papyrus; apart from rare royal inscriptions, there are few accounts from reluctant subjects or passionate opponents.

[ryukoishida]

did u know that shapur got revived, all marsbans got revived, and there's winged apes descending on ecbatana in the manga with the latest chapter of arslan senki?

Wait what for reals??? I can't tell whether or not you're trolling lolololol

[importantdestinydefendor]

HERE SHE IS!!!!

It took so long to draw the background and deciding on her color palette! I wanted her palette to show a little lore, but it was hard to balance the white with the leather😫. Especially as my research showed that white leather would not have been a thing in her time🥲.

But enough of that. Let me intreduce you to:

Azar, a high ranking general and one of the best warriors in all of Maar!

She was born into two parsian warrior families in the year P.E. 294 in Ecbatana, Pars, which makes her 26 years old. She is 170cm/5'5f tall.

Her tutelary god is Tiw, the maaren god of war—especially treaties—and of justice. He also oversees the moot (general assembly) and court cases. He stands for fair fights, victory and peace.

She moved to the village of Rus in Maar, where her aunt Sanaz, her fathers sister, lives with her family. After some time and events she moved to the capital of Maar, Vigard, and officaly became a squire. She worked hard and long and at the age of 16 she became an offical knight. From there she climbed the ranks of the maaren army very fast and at the age of 22 she became the highest ranking general, an Almennt (Almennt = Eran).

Similar to Daryun, Azar also has gained a few nicknames amongst her enemies, like the white general or the white death. The white coming from her mostly white armor and the death coming from her being infamouse for mowing down her enemies.

Azar also acts as the mentor to the maaren crown prince Aleksi and is rumered to be very close with the royal family, the "Elvenking" Farzin, his wife Queen Serrilda and the dowager queen Moja.

How will she fit with Team Arslan? Will they get along? How did the meet? And most importantly - what is that familiar yet strange air/aura between Azar and Daryun? Does Vahriz have anything to do with this? What does he know?

These questioned will be answered!

... someday...

[artthatgivesmefeelings]

Andrea Vaccaro (Italian, 1604 - 1670) Raguel's Blessing of her Daughter Sarah before Leaving Ecbatana with Tobias, Detail, ca. 1640 Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya

[pastellig]

Arslan Senki 127

This chapter opens with the titular Legend of the Snake King. I was struck by the many parallels between Arslan and Kaykhusraw illuminated by this tale:

Kaykhusraw’s mission is to overturn Zahhak, an evil that terrorizes his people; Arslan’s mission is to dismantle slavery, an evil that terrorizes his people. They both move toward their goal with small numbers of supporters.

Kaykhusraw first allies himself with Zahhak’s cook — like Arslan, he sees the value of individuals outside of the nobility and military.

Early in his mission, Kaykhusraw faces the reality that he cannot save everyone and settles for saving one person from every pair to be slaughtered for Shoulder Snakes™️. Arslan routinely balks at “settling,” and with the assistance of his allies can generally — but not always — avoid it.

Kaykhusraw’s small army is comprised of 365 “stout youth” who were saved by his partnership with the cook. Arslan quite similarly collects allies by offering grace and mercy.

These points emphasize the most important parallel: Kaykhusraw was the “Hero King�� who gained his throne by overturning an unfair and oppressive power — not through the usual succession. Arslan is on the path to do the same. Despite not sharing blood with Kaykhusraw, his mission makes him the true successor to the Hero King.

Alfarid was great in this chapter. I absolutely love who she’s become in Arakawa’s hands. Giggly and love struck? Yes. A skilled leader and warrior who prioritizes practical, immediate needs? Also yes. We see that after Zahhak’s retreat in 127 part 2:

The Zot clan have enormous respect for all dead, not just their own — remember that they will not rob the bodies of the dead, nor the sick and dying. To leave a comrade unburied weighs heavily on them all but imagine how difficult it is for the leader of the Zot to leave members of her clan, her family, unburied and without their final rites.

In many ways, this call is one only Alfarid has the authority to make, and she does so in a frank (but not disrespectful) way. As Arslan has grown in his skills and confidence, his need for advice has diminished. We’ve seen Narsus refuse to make recommendations, leaving the choice to Arslan. Alfarid is effectively Shāh of the Zot, a clan that does not recognize Parsian authority. In this moment she speaks to Arslan as his equal, and thus gives the group the time they need to create as much distance as possible between them and their slithery opponent with regenerative powers and acidic blood.

Alfarid also gives Etoile a fresh horse from one of the fallen Zot members. It’s another sign of Alfarid’s authority and also a lovely indicator that Alfarid sees her as a core part of the group.

They all survived this time… I wonder what the outcome of the final battle against Zahhak will be.

In the novels, the final battle against Zahhak takes place after Arslan’s ascension to the throne. I’ve wondered how Arakawa planned to either condense the time between these events or unify them (and I leaned towards unification, because it’s way more dramatic). The Shoulder Snakes™️ slithering towards Ecbatana with Kaykhusraw’s disintegrating body between them hints at one option — and it involves a new host.

I think Hilmes is about to find out how Zahhak’s devotees plan to put him on the throne.

[importantdestinydefendor]

Wooooo! My monthly does of motivation!

New chapter tomorrow!

[nanamiwifeyy]

Headcannon: Being Daryun's S/o pt.2

Part 1 here

Anime: The heroic legend of Arslan

• Doesn't admit it, but he LOVESSSS it when you pamper him: brushing/playing with his hair, body massages, cleaning his armor so he can rest ect

• Loves to see you all dressed up, espacially during festivals with the commoners

• Like celebrating a season, for example summer. You would be dressed in bright colours, hair dancing with the wind ect.

• He would be leaning against a wall, trapped in a trance as he sees you dance with others in the center of the place.

• He is too shy and can't dance well like you can

• You try to convince him to dance, but he just plants himself against the wall

• He tunes in at home when you are just dance silly around the house

• Tries to learn instruments for you to dance at

• Sometimes the prince if he is present

• This man enjoys the small things in life, knowing how fast a life can be lost. He wants to spend time with his loved ones.

• The guy engine is mainly powered by the prince and you. This man existens is to protect and care for you two

• And you and the prince love this man to dead

• Can't imagine the worry of this man when Ecbatana fell in the hands of Lusitania

• You were present in the castle and have escaped by sneaking in a carriage

• You two will find each other, one way or another

• Like the time when you were pushed in a wave of people and got pushed in a whole another part of Ecbatana

• This man, jumped with his horse from roof to roof to find you

• But also when you lost him as you were looking around the market for clothes

• You didn't feel him behind you and looked around for your tall, handsome husband

• And girl, they better count their blessings when you saw YOUR husband surrounded by other women

• You saw your husband politely refusing them, but they kept going. Talking, touching, carressing

• You felt the ancestors come out of you and I swear, the sky darkend when you made your way over to them

• Of course, you went ballistic on them

• Poor Daryun had to physically remove you away from them with much effort as you wouldn't let go of the girls that had the audicity to even talk to him

• This man is on high alert for everything, an enemy from another land but also to other women for their safety or else they will spend their silver and gold coins on cosmetic facial reconstruction

• That explains why he is always ready to run when a commotion happens when he is cleaning his horse.

• About the baby dream? Yeah, you two are working on it

• He found the perfect wood tho.

[daryun]

The Sorcerer: got some straight gas 🔥😛 this strain is called “rightful king” 😳💊 you’ll be zonked out of your gourd 💯

Hilmes: yeah whatever. i don’t feel shit.

5 minutes later: dude we gotta retake Ecbatana

His astute follower Sahm, pacing: Husrab is lying to us