Hagmatana was the ancient Persian capital known as Ecbatana in Greek sources.
The city stood at modern Hamadan in western Iran and served as the capital of the Median kingdom before becoming an important Achaemenid royal center. The Old Persian form of its name is usually rendered Hagmatana, while Greek writers used Ecbatana.
Achaemenid kings used several royal centers for different purposes. Ecbatana was associated with summer residence and administration, while Susa and Persepolis had other ceremonial and governmental roles. Later writers described the city’s wealth and elaborate palace traditions, although some details in classical accounts may be exaggerated. Ecbatana should not be confused with Pasargadae, the earlier center founded by Cyrus in Fars.