H  E  R  O  D  O  T  U  S      H I  S  T  O  R  I  E  S
 


 

 

Book 7.62.1
Book 7.79.1

 


 


 

source
source


 

 


 
 
 

 

 

Herodotus on Medes and Colchians in Xerxes' army
 

LXII. [1] The Medes in the army were equipped like the Persians; indeed, that fashion of armor is Median, not Persian. Their commander was Tigranes, an Achaemenid. The Medes were formerly called by everyone Arians, but when the Colchian woman Medea came from Athens to the Arians they changed their name, like the Persians. This is the Medes' own account of themselves.

LXXIX. [1] The Mares wore on their heads their native woven helmets, and carried javelins and small hide shields. The Colchians had wooden helmets and small shields of raw oxhide and short spears, and also swords. The commander of the Mares and Colchians was Pharandates son of Teaspis. The Alarodians and Saspires in the army were armed like the Colchians; Masistius son of Siromitres was their commander.