Little Cyrus spent years in the wild embrace of the Zagros mountains, in the home of Mithradates the shepherd. He grew up among the flocks and alongside the shepherd's children, learning life's lessons from nature and from Mithradates. He learned how to hunt, how to withstand cold and heat, and how to interact with animals and humans. His intelligence and discernment, evident since infancy, blossomed even more in this free environment. In children's games, he always took on the role of leader, and with his justice and courage, he earned the respect of his playmates.
One day, when Cyrus was ten years old and playing with his friends—a game in which he played the role of king—a boy from a noble family living nearby disobeyed Cyrus's commands. Cyrus firmly punished him. Angered by this behavior, the boy returned home and complained about Cyrus to his father. The boy's father, who was one of Astyages's courtiers, was surprised by this game and Cyrus's leadership and reported the incident to Astyages. The Median king, upon hearing this news, recalled his terrifying dreams and ordered the child to be brought before him.
Upon seeing Cyrus, Astyages was terrified by his striking resemblance to Mandane, his daughter. He knew full well that this child was his own grandson, whom he had ordered killed. The Median king, with anger and anxiety, interrogated Mithradates the shepherd. Mithradates, with full courage, recounted the story of Cyrus's rescue and Harpagus's deception to Astyages. Astyages, enraged by this betrayal, forgave Mithradates, but decided to take his revenge on Harpagus, the commander whom he had trusted.
Astyages, with deep resentment, invited Harpagus to a feast. At this feast, the Median king, with a deceptive smile, praised Harpagus for his loyalty and told him he wished to entertain him with a special dish. Unaware of the king's sinister plan, Harpagus happily accepted the invitation. During the feast, Astyages offered Harpagus cooked meat and asked him to partake of the delicious meal.
After finishing the meal, Astyages, with an evil smile, showed Harpagus the severed head of his thirteen-year-old son, hidden in a bowl. Harpagus froze with horror and grief upon seeing this scene. He had just realized that the meat he had eaten was that of his own child. Astyages said with a cold, vengeful tone: "This is the reward for your betrayal, Harpagus. You betrayed me and saved my grandson's life; now you must pay the price." Harpagus, though writhing in anger and pain, showed no harshness and suppressed his rage, responding to the king: "Whatever pleases the king is good."
Harpagus, with a broken heart and hidden resentment, left the feast. He outwardly maintained his loyalty to Astyages, but deep within, he had sworn vengeance. This grudge, years later, became a driving force that significantly contributed to Astyages's downfall and the rise of Cyrus the Great. Meanwhile, Astyages, after this brutal act of revenge, once again gathered the Magi to decide on the prince's future, ensuring the complete removal of any threat. The Magi reassured the king, saying that since his grandson had been chosen as king in a game,
the king's dream had been fulfilled, and there was no longer any need to fear him, as he would not regain rulership. They advised that to avoid any temptation, it would be best to send Cyrus away from him, to Parsa, to his father and mother. Astyages, who had grown fond of Cyrus, was pleased by the Magi's response and, as they had recommended, sent Cyrus back to Anshan, to his real parents, Cambyses and Mandane. He believed that by doing so, he had averted the danger.