Onaphernes

Onaphernes (Wanat–hvarnah, Wanafarna Holofernes) — leader of the cadusii, ally of Cyrus the Great.

== History == According John Clark Ridpath, at  the  time  of  the  accession  of  Astyages  cadusii were  ruled  by  a king  named  Onaphernes,  who, believing  his  country  to  be  in  danger,  took wisdom  into  his  counsel,  and  opened  negotiations with  the  Median  monarch  relative  to  annexation. This  odd  piece  of  statecraft  was successful;  for  Astyages  was an  easy-going king,  who  preferred  peace  to  war,  and was very  willing  to  make  terms  with  the  cadusian ruler.  So without  bloodshed  the  dominions  of that  barbaric  but  politic prince  were  transferred to  Media,  himself  remaining  as  viceroy. Stephen Dando-Collins say that Astyages sent Cyrus as a royal envoy on a special mission. Astyages had received a message from Onaphernes, ruler of the Cadusii tribe, which inhabited the Elburz Mountains on the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea. The Cadusians had been a troublesome thorn in Media’s side for years, raiding Median territory on foot then melting back into the mountains. Unbeknownst to his people, Onaphernes was proposing either a truce or an alliance with Media, and he had asked Astyages to send a trustworthy emissary for secret discussions. Astyages sent Cyrus, giving him forty days to complete his mission.