Abstract
The Achaemenid Empire with its centralized political and administrative system, included territories from the Indus River in India to the Nile River in Egypt and from Libya to Central Asia. One of these states was the land of the Cadusians in the southwestern region of the Caspian Sea. The southwestern margin of the Caspian Sea had a special role and position in the political developments of the Achaemenid period due to its geopolitical location, as well as having impassable roads and dense forests that acted as natural barriers. Even during the stay of Ctesias in the Achaemenid court, a battle took place between the Achaemenids and the Cadusians, which was not successful for the Achaemenids, as some have doubted about their affiliation with the Achaemenids.In this research, based on ancient sources and using the method of historical research and relying on the geographical location and martial skills of the Caduceus, an attempt has been made to deal with the issue of independence or dependence of the Caduceus to the Achaemenid kingdom.
Keywords: Independence, Talesh, Cadosians, Hircania, Achaemenid.
 
 
Introduction
The Cadusians, a well-known tribe of the Achaemenid period, lived in a mountainous region southwest of the Caspian Sea, in the area of modern-day Talesh. Despite recent archaeological research and excavations in Talesh and the ancient land of Cadusiya, the history of this land remains shrouded in obscurity, and not even the name of this land appears in reliefs and inscriptions from the Achaemenid period. On the other hand, one of the main sources for the Cadusians is the writings of Greek historians, although none of those historians ever traveled to the southern shores of the Caspian Sea and had any close contact with the Cadusians. For this reason, these historians have mixed the tribes and inhabitants of the southern Caspian Sea coast, including the Amards, Derbeks, and Tepuris, and in some cases, even without considering the geographical boundaries of the tribes mentioned, have considered the entire southern Caspian coast to be under the control of the Cadusians during the Achaemenid period (Strabo, 1961: 249-252). This research, with a critical look at ancient historical texts, and relying on archaeological evidence, linguistic data, and new research, examines the political position of the Cadusians and the issue of their political independence or lack of independence during the Achaemenid period, using the method of historical research and a descriptive-analytical method.
 
Materials & Methods
This research, with a critical look at ancient historical texts, and relying on archaeological evidence, linguistic data, and new research, examines the political position of the Kadus and the issue of their political independence or lack of independence during the Achaemenid period, using historical research methods and a descriptive-analytical method.
 
Discussion and Results
The Cadus were one of the tribes that lived on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea, alongside tribes such as the Amardas, Tepuris, and Derbeks. The existence of archaeological remains and signs from the era in this land indicates the arrival of new tribes to this land and a mixture of indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in this land. With the arrival of the Aryans in Iran and the establishment of the Median government by them, the Cadus initially resisted the Median government and did not accept their official citizenship. However, with the establishment of the Achaemenid government by Cyrus the Great, the Cadus accepted their citizenship without a war and with their own will and consent. During the reign of Darius and Xerxes, the Cadus were still subordinate to the Achaemenids and even participated in Xerxes' battles with Greece with their cavalry and fought with the Greeks. However, from the time of Darius II to Artaxerxes III, these restless tribes rebelled and, given the geographical and geopolitical situation of the region, Also, relying on their fighting power, they defeated Ardashir II and his forces in this region. So much so that the Achaemenid king was forced to make peace with them. Previously, they accepted Ardashir's citizenship, but during the time of Ardashir III, they rebelled again. When their commander was killed by Darius III (when he had not yet attained the throne), they once again submitted to the Achaemenid Empire and during the time of Darius III, they accompanied him in his battles with Alexander.
 
Conclusion
It seems that whenever the central power enjoyed cohesion and unity, the Cadusians also accepted their subordination. However, as soon as the court was in turmoil due to the death of the emperor or defeat in war, the Cadusians would periodically rebel and cause problems for the Achaemenids, which would end with the intervention of the Achaemenid emperor and his suppression. This restless people accompanied Cyrus the Great from the very beginning of the formation of the Achaemenid Empire, and even in battles, the Achaemenids were present with the Greeks in the cavalry and infantry and in the army of Darius III, and fought against Alexander until the last moment. Therefore, based on these reports, it seems that the hypothesis of the independence of the Cadusians, which was put forward by Ctesias and repeated by subsequent historians following him, should not have much credibility.