[470] Vol. II. p. 319. I cannot accept the theory which Lenormant has attempted to establish on the geographical differences in the inscriptions of Shalmanesar II. and Tiglath Pilesar II.--that the Medes and Persians obtained possession of Western Iran shortly before the middle of the eighth century. "Lettres Assyriolog." and "Z. Aegypt. Spr." 1870, s. 48 ff. [471] Vol. III. 3-5. [472] Vol. III. 85. [473] Vol. III. 101. [474] Vol. III. 113. [475] Vol. III. 150. [476] Vol. III. 167. [477] That is the reason why I cannot regard the parallels which Von Gutshchmid suggests ("Neue Beiträge," s. 90 ff.) of the struggle between the Arsacids and Seleucids, and the relations between the Great Mogul and the Mahrattas, as pertinent. [478] The Patusarra of Esarhaddon might be the Patisuvari of Darius; the Pateischoreans, whom Strabo quotes among the tribes of the Persians; Von Gutschmid, _loc. cit._ s. 93, but in the Babylonian version of the inscription of Behistun the Pateischoreans are called _Pidishuris_. [479] Von Gutschmid, _loc. cit._ s. 88; below, c. 3. [480] Vol. III. 280. The Assyrian inscriptions are silent from 644 B.C. downwards. Von Gutschmid, "Neue Beitr." s. 89. From this silence I have concluded, and still conclude, that the liberation of the Medes took place towards 640 B.C., and moreover that the victory of the Assyrians over Phraortes, and his death in battle did not bring about a decisive change in favour of the Assyrians. CHAPTER II. THE EMPIRE OF THE MEDES.