Medes

The Medes were an ancient Iranian people who lived in the region known today as northwestern Iran. They played a significant role in the history of the ancient Near East, particularly in the 7th century BCE. The Medes unified various tribes and established the Median Empire, which was one of the precursor states to the Persian Empire. Their capital was Ecbatana (modern Hamadan). The Medes were known for their military prowess and helped to overthrow the Assyrian Empire. They eventually formed an alliance with the Persians, laying the groundwork for the rise of the Achaemenid Empire.