Smerdis

The Archaemid Family Tree, showing the intermarriage of the royal houses to create the Medo-Persian Empire.

Bardiya (old Persian 𐎲𐎼𐎮𐎡𐎹)^[1], or also known as either Smerdis (ancient Greek Σμέρδις) or Tanaoxares (ancient Greek Ταναοζάρη)^[2] as he was known to the Greeks, was the second son to Cyrus II "the Great".

Granted the satrapy of Media, Armenia and Cadusia as Cyrus' last will and testament,^[3], he was later murdered at the hands of his older brother through a third party in response to a dream^{[Citation Needed]} wherein Cambyses II perceived Smerdis to usurp his throne. This murder was done so professionally that few even seem to have realised that he was dead leading the coup of two Median brothers to assume the persona of Smerdis (who we now commonly call "False Smerdis") and claim Cambyses II's throne while he was yet returning from the campaign of Egypt.

References[edit]

1. ↑ Akbarzadeh, D. (2006). The Behistun Inscriptions (Old Persian Texts) (in Persian). Khaneye-Farhikhtagan-e Honarhaye Sonati, 59. ISBN 964-8499-05-5. 
2. ↑ Xenophon, Cyropedia 8.7.11
3. ↑ Xenophon, Cyropedia 8.7.11