Held in the highest honor by both King and people, they were in constant attendance, ready to expound omens or dreams, and to give their advice on all matters of state policy.

The religious ceremonial was, as a matter of course, under their charge; and it is probable that high state offices were often conferred upon them.

Of all classes of the people they were the only one that could feel they had a real influence over the monarch, and might claim to share in his sovereignty.
The long reign of Astyages seems to have been almost undisturbed, until just before its close, by wars or rebellions.

Eusebius indeed relates that he, and not Cyaxares, carried on the great Lydian contest; and Moses of Chorene declares that he was engaged in a long struggle with Tigranes, an Armenian king.

But little credit can be attached to these statements, the former of which contradicts Herodotus, while the latter is wholly unsupported by any other writer.