It was Harpagus, according to the Medes, who had been charged with the murder of the infant Cyrus, a task which – dissembling – he had claimed to have carried out. Years later, when the truth had at last emerged, Astyages was rumoured to have wreaked a bloody revenge, butchering Harpagus’ son, jointing the corpse, and then serving it dressed as mutton to the unsuspecting father.
