# Phraortes

> The second king of the Medes (678–625 BC)

**Wikidata**: [Q332557](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q332557)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phraortes)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/phraortes

## Summary
Phraortes was the second king of the Medes, ruling from approximately 678 BC to 625 BC. His reign marks an important period in the history of the Median Empire, which would later contribute to the formation of the Persian Empire.

## Biography
- Born: 700 BC (exact date and place not specified)
- Nationality: Median
- Education: Not specified in source material
- Known for: Being the second king of the Medes
- Employer(s): Median Empire (as king)
- Field(s): Monarchy, state leadership

## Contributions
No specific publications, inventions, or other direct contributions beyond his role as king of the Medes are mentioned in the available source material. His primary contribution was his leadership of the Median kingdom during a significant period in the region's history.

## FAQs
When did Phraortes reign? Phraortes ruled as the second king of the Medes from approximately 678 BC to 625 BC.

What kingdom did Phraortes lead? Phraortes was the king of the Medes, an ancient Iranian people who established their own kingdom in what is now northwestern Iran.

How long did Phraortes rule? Phraortes's reign lasted for approximately 53 years, from 678 BC to 625 BC.

Where is information about Phraortes available? Information about Phraortes can be found on Wikipedia (title: "Phraortes") and Wikidata, with multiple identifiers across various academic databases.

## Why They Matter
Phraortes is significant as one of the early rulers of the Median Empire, which played a crucial role in the geopolitical landscape of ancient Western Asia. The Medes under his leadership contributed to the power dynamics that would eventually lead to the rise of the Achaemenid Persian Empire. Understanding his reign provides insight into the early stages of Iranian state formation and the development of imperial structures in the region.

## Notable For
- Being the second king of the Medes
- Ruling for approximately 53 years, one of the longer reigns of ancient Near Eastern rulers
- Preceding the more famous Median kings who would eventually submit to Cyrus the Great
- Representing an important transitional period in the development of Iranian political entities

## Body
### Historical Context
Phraortes ruled as the second king of the Medes during a significant period in the ancient Near East. His reign spanned from approximately 678 BC to 625 BC, covering a substantial portion of the 7th century BCE. The Medes were an Iranian people who established their kingdom in the northwestern region of modern-day Iran, becoming a dominant power in the area.

### Reign as King
As the second king of the Medes, Phraortes succeeded his father Deioces, who is traditionally credited with unifying the Median tribes and establishing the Median state. Phraortes continued the state-building process initiated by his father, solidifying the Median kingdom's structure and organization. His reign lasted approximately 53 years, making it one of the longer reigns in ancient Near Eastern history.

### Geopolitical Position
During Phraortes's reign, the Median Kingdom was situated in a strategically important location between the rising powers of Assyria in the west and the kingdoms of the Iranian plateau. The Medes under Phraortes maintained a delicate balance of power with these neighboring states, sometimes allying with them and sometimes competing for dominance.

### Historical Records
Information about Phraortes primarily comes from ancient Greek historians, particularly Herodotus, who mentions him in his work "The Histories." These accounts, written centuries after his reign, provide the framework for understanding his role in Median history. Modern historians have used these sources along with archaeological evidence to reconstruct the timeline of his reign.

### Legacy
While much of Phraortes's specific achievements have been lost to history, his role as an early king of the Medes is significant because it represents a crucial phase in the development of Iranian statehood. The Median Kingdom under Phraortes laid the groundwork for the later Achaemenid Empire, which would become one of the largest empires in history under Cyrus the Great.

### Modern Recognition
Phraortes is recognized in modern academic databases with multiple identifiers:
- Wikidata ID: P3021 (phraortes)
- Freebase ID: /m/026z0q
- GND ID: 95785
- VIAF ID: biography/Phraortes
- SNAC ID: I00738292
- WorldCat ID: 6000000003645908141
- OpenLibrary ID: fraorte
- Wikispecies ID: Fraòrte
- MusicBrainz ID: 3902608
- Intellus ID: 3663

His legacy continues to be studied by scholars of ancient Iranian history and the development of early Near Eastern empires, though specific details of his life and reign remain somewhat obscure compared to later historical figures.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013