Tomyris, The Female Warrior and Ruler Who May Have Killed Cyrus the Great

Tomyris was an ancient ruler of the Massagetae, a Scythian pastoral-nomadic confederation in Central Asia. She became famous for her bravery and especially for the greatest battle she ever fought – the day when Cyrus the Great died.

Tomyris’ kingdom was located in the area to the east of the Caspian Sea, in parts of modern-day Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, western Uzbekistan, and southern Kazakhstan. Most people remember Tomyris for her role in the defense against an attack by Cyrus the Great of the Achamenind Empire (600/ 576 – 530 BC). In 530 BC, she may have killed one of the most famous Persians in history.

Herodotus wrote that there were a few different stories about the death of Cyrus, and includes Tomyris as one of the possible causes for his demise. The story of Tomyris is also included in books by Strabo, Polyaenus, Cassiodorus, and Jordanes. However, the earliest writing about her comes from Herodotus, who lived from 484 to 425 BC.

The name of Tomyris and her son Spargapises, have roots in Persia, but the Hellenic forms of their names are most commonly used. Spargapises was the head of his mother’s army. During the battles mother and son fought together.