War begets war; and the successes of Cyaxares up to the present point in his career did but whet his appetite for power, and stimulate him to attempt further conquests.

In brief but pregnant words Herodotus informs us that Cyaxares "subdued to himself all Asia above the Halys." How much he may include in this expression, it is impossible to determine; but, _prime facie_, it would seem at least to imply that he engaged in a series of wars with the various tribes and nations which intervened between Media and Assyria on the one side and the river Halys on the other, and that he succeeded in bringing them under his dominion.

The most important countries in this direction were Armenia and Cappadocia.

Armenia, strong in its lofty mountains, its deep gorges, and its numerous rapid rivers--the head-streams of the Tigris, Euphrates, Kur, and Aras--had for centuries resisted with unconquered spirit the perpetual efforts of the Assyrian kings to bring it under their yoke, and had only at last consented under the latest king but one to a mere nominal allegiance.

Cappadocia had not even been brought to this degree of dependence.