Cyrus Defeats Spargapises, from The Story of Cyrus Made 1660-1680 Flanders. This tapestry is from a late-17th-century series derived from the earlier compositions of the Renaissance painter and designer Michiel Coxie. The Latin inscription in a cartouche in the upper border identified the subject as Cyrus the Great defeating the Scythians. This refers to an episode toward the end of Cyrusís extraordinary career when he attacked the land ruled by Queen Tomyris near the Caspian Sea. As recounted by Greek historians such as Herodotus, the Persian ruler lured the queenís son Spargapises into a trap, defeating him and taking him captive. However, Tomyris was so angered by her sonís humiliation and subsequent suicide that she defeated Cyrus in battle and killed him.. Wool and silk, slit and double interlocking tapestry weave . Michiel Coxcie, I