SENTENCED TO DEATH EVEN BEFORE HE WAS BORN; CYRUS ROSE FROM IGNOMINY TO SEIZE THE THRONE WHICH WAS HIS BIRTHRIGHT, TO BECOME THE KING OF THE MIGHTIEST EMPIRE THE WORLD HAD EVER SEEN. IN HIS QUEST HE IS AIDED THE PRINCES OF THE SIX TRIBES OF MEDIA, AND BY HARPAGUS, ONCE ASTYAGES' OWN GENERAL; WHO HAD HIS OWN REASON TO TURN AGAINST THE TYRANT ASTYAGES. CYRUS IS AN EXCITING STORY OF INTRIGUE AND CONQUEST, OF TREACHERY AND BETRAYAL; OF LOYALTY AND HEROISM; OF ORACLES, OMENS AND PROPHECIES; AND THE FUTILITY OF BELIEVING THEM.