Teispes

Teispes was a ruler of Anshan from 675 to 640 BC. He was the son of Achaemenes from Persis and an important ancestor of Cyrus the Great. Some records suggest that Cyrus I and Ariaramnes were both his sons. Cyrus I was the grandfather of Cyrus the Great, and Ariaramnes was the great-grandfather of Darius the Great.

Historical documents tell us that Teispes captured the city of Anshan. This happened after the Persians gained freedom. Even though Teispes made his kingdom bigger, it was still under the control of the Neo-Assyrian Empire. After Teispes' rule ended, his son Cyrus I became the new leader.

Name

The Old Persian version of the name is Čišpiš. Scholars have different ideas about what this name means and where it comes from. Some think it might be Iranian, while others think it could be Elamite. The exact meaning and origin of the name remain unclear.

Some researchers have suggested possible meanings connected to old Indian or Sogdian languages, like "growing well" or "leader," but these ideas are not widely accepted. The name appears in old records from Persepolis as well.

Old Persian Rüdiger Schmitt Hurrian Tešup Cimmerian Teušpa Vasily Abayev Old Indian János Harmatta Sogdian Wojciech Skalmowski Persepolis tablets