Media, ancient country of northwestern Iran, generally corresponding to the modern regions of Azerbaijan, Kurdistan, and parts of Kermanshah. Media first appears in the texts of the Assyrian king Shalmaneser III (858–824 bc), in which peoples of the land of “Mada” are recorded.
What was Medes known for?
The Assyrians made many expeditions to the land of the “mighty Medes,” primarily in search of horses for their cavalry. The Medes were famous for their horses, but there is mention also of castles or fortified towns of the Medes in Assyrian inscriptions.
What gods did the Medes worship?
The main religion of the Medes was centered around the worship of Ahura Mazda, meaning the great God. They believed God couldn’t be seen. So, they had made no images or idols of their God. Archaeologists believed they had no temples and merely gathered on hilltops and in the open air to worship him.