this post was submitted on 05 Jun 2026
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AskHistorians

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A place to ask questions about history and life in past eras! Broad or narrow, if you're curious, and the question relates to history, ask away! If you have an interest in the subject, regardless of 'formal' expertise, feel free to answer as best you can!

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Herodotus' account of Cyrus the Great's death at the hands of Tomyris is awe-inspiring, funny, and, I'm lead to believe, almost certainly fake. Other histories paint him as a pretty chill guy who tolerated other religions in his kingdom and expanded through peaceful means. Yet Herotodus paints him as demanding Tomyris' hand in marriage and invading when she said no.

Why did Herodotus do Cyrus dirty like that? Is there any chance he was telling the truth?

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[–] Grail@multiverse.soulism.net 3 points 3 weeks ago

Novel in Europe, I'll grant. Thanks for the answers!