ARBACES was governor of Media under Sardanapalus king of Assyria. Disgusted by the effeminacy of the king, he stirred up his people to revolt, and dethroned Sardanapalus, who thereupon burnt himself in his palace. Arbaces founded the monarchy of the Medes, which lasted 317 years under eight kings, till Astyages was expelled by Cyrus. Arbaces reigned 28 years, and died B.C. 848. (Diodorus, ii.) Herodotus gives a different account; but the authority of Ctesias, whose original work has perished, is followed by most ancient historians. (V. Paterculus i. 6; Justin, i. 3; Strabo, xvi. 737.)