This line of people called themselves the Arioi or what we term “Aryans” who were closely allied in descent, language, and religion with the Persians. Every time the Medes are mentioned in the Bible the word is translated from the Hebrew word Madai. Josephus goes on to explain that the descendants of Madai were caged Medes by the Greeks. This is a long history that we will not take up your time and this blog to explore. In summary, when Cyrus came to power, he combined the Medes and the Persians (Elamites) into one kingdom. The Elamites came from Elam, the son of Shem. So, these two became one kingdom and were thus governed by one law (“the law of the Medes and the Persians” Dan. 6:8,12,15). The Medes are always (except for one instance) mentioned along with the Persians. In later history, they were simply called the Persians. Since 1935, they have insisted on being called Iran. The modern-day Iranians are a combined race of people who came from Shem’s son, Elam, and the son of Gomer, Madai.