Cyrus the Great

Cyrus the GreatCyrus the Great, also referred to as Cyrus II of Persia or Cyrus the Elder, was a ruler who founded the First Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire. His empire not only embraced the civilized states of the ancient Near East, but also included large parts of Central and Southwest Asia. Referred to as the “Father of his people” by the ancient Persians, his reign lasted for nearly thirty years. Though he conquered several empires, one unique quality about him was that he showed respect to the religions and cultures of the lands he conquered. This helped in winning the support of the people, and in establishing a proper administration that would work for the benefit of the people. His work, ‘Cyrus Cylinder,’ is the oldest known declaration of human rights. He was also revered for his knowledge of politics as well as military strategy. Respected as an ideal monarch, he has also been referred to as a Messiah by the Hebrew Bible. Cyrus the Great managed to build the world's largest empire of that time. Even after his death, his successors continued to expand the empire. Cyrus is believed to have been killed during a battle with the Massageteans, after which his son Cambyses II succeeded him. Even centuries after his demise, he is still remembered today as one of the greatest leaders in history.

Cyrus the Great ascended to the throne in 559 BC, years before his father passed away in 551 BC551 BC. However, he was not an independent ruler yet, and had to recognize Median overlordship. Cyrus soon revolted against his grandfather and overlord.

Cyrus was not only known for his outstanding military achievements, and conquests, but also for his political knowledge and his contribution to human rights as well. His proclamations which are inscribed on the ‘Cyrus CylinderCyrus Cylinder’ are described as the first declaration of human rights ever.

Cyrus the Great ascended to the throne in 559 BC559 BC, years before his father passed away in 551 BC. However, he was not an independent ruler yet, and had to recognize Median overlordship. Cyrus soon revolted against his grandfather and overlord.

Ascension & Reign

Ascension & Reign

Ascension & Reign

Cyrus the Great ascended to the throne in 559 BC, years before his father passed away in 551 BC. However, he was not an independent ruler yet, and had to recognize Median overlordship. Cyrus soon revolted against his grandfather and overlord.

His grandfather Astyages launched an attack against Cyrus, who at the time was only the King of Ansan. However, Harpagus, who was placed in command of the Median Army, contacted Cyrus beforehand. He also defected with several of the nobility as well as a huge portion of the army. Having being deserted my most of his army, Astyages was soon forced to surrender to Cyrus.

Cyrus decided to spare the life of Astyages, and married his daughter Amytis. The marriage also helped pacify several vassals.

Thus, Cyrus gained control over all of the vassals as well as many of his relatives. His uncle Arsames, who was the king of Parsa, also had to give up his throne. However, he was made a nominal governor under Cyrus’s authority. Cyrus’s conquest of the Median Empire was merely marked the beginning of his military expansions.

A few years after the conquest of the Median Empire, one of his important cities Pteria was attacked by the Lydians. Their king Croesus also enslaved the city’s inhabitants. Therefore, Cyrus gathered his army and marched against the Lydians. This led to the Battle of Pteria. The battle however, ended in a stalemate as both sides suffered heavy casualties. Eventually Croesus was forced to withdraw back to his kingdom.

After the battle, Croesus, having lost a huge portion of his army, asked his allies for assistance. However, before they could all unite, Cyrus took Croesus by surprise in his capital city Sardis itself. Using various strategies, Cyrus managed to defeat the Lydian forces. According to some accounts, Croesus was killed, while some other accounts state that he was spared death.

After the war, Cyrus entrusted a Lydian named Pactyas, to send Croesus’ treasury to Persia. However, Pactyas instead rebelled with the help of hired mercenaries, which caused an uprising in Sardis. In order to control the situation, Cyrus sent one of his trusted commanders Mazares. Pactyas was captured eventually after much struggle, and is said to have been tortured and then finally put to death.

Over the ensuing years, Cyrus the Great vastly expanded his empire through various heroic conquests. He successfully brought under his rule large parts of Asia Minor and the Neo-Babylonian Empire. As a result of his numerous conquests, he was able to build the largest empire of the world of that time.

Cyrus was not only known for his outstanding military achievements, and conquests, but also for his political knowledge and his contribution to human rights as well. His proclamations which are inscribed on the ‘Cyrus Cylinder’ are described as the first declaration of human rights ever.

Some scholars argue that the Cylinder does not really talk of human rights, as it would have been a very alien concept during that time. The UN has however declared the relic to be the most ancient declaration of human rights.

Cyrus the Great also has a religious significance. He has been mentioned in religious scriptures such as the Bible and the Qur’an. The Babylonians regarded him very highly and called him their liberator.

Cyrus the Great, also referred to as Cyrus II of Persia or Cyrus the Elder, was a ruler who founded the First Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire. His empire not only embraced the civilized states of the ancient Near East, but also included large parts of Central and Southwest Asia. Referred to as the “Father of his people” by the ancient Persians, his reign lasted for nearly thirty years. Though he conquered several empires, one unique quality about him was that he showed respect to the religions and cultures of the lands he conquered. This helped in winning the support of the people, and in establishing a proper administration that would work for the benefit of the people. His work, ‘Cyrus Cylinder,‘Cyrus Cylinder,’ is the oldest known declaration of human rights. He was also revered for his knowledge of politics as well as military strategy. Respected as an ideal monarch, he has also been referred to as a Messiah by the Hebrew Bible. Cyrus the Great managed to build the world's largest empire of that time. Even after his death, his successors continued to expand the empire. Cyrus is believed to have been killed during a battle with the Massageteans, after which his son Cambyses II succeeded him. Even centuries after his demise, he is still remembered today as one of the greatest leaders in history.

Who was Cyrus the Great?

Cyrus the Great, also referred to as Cyrus II of Persia or Cyrus the Elder, was a ruler who founded the First Persian Empire, also known as the Achaemenid Empire. His empire not only embraced the civilized states of the ancient Near East, but also included large parts of Central and Southwest Asia. Referred to as the “Father of his people” by the ancient Persians, his reign lasted for nearly thirty years. Though he conquered several empires, one unique quality about him was that he showed respect to the religions and cultures of the lands he conquered. This helped in winning the support of the people, and in establishing a proper administration that would work for the benefit of the people. His work, ‘Cyrus Cylinder,’ is the oldest known declaration of human rights. He was also revered for his knowledge of politics as well as military strategy. Respected as an ideal monarch, he has also been referred to as a Messiah by the Hebrew Bible. Cyrus the Great managed to build the world's largest empire of that time. Even after his death, his successors continued to expand the empire. Cyrus is believed to have been killed during a battle with the Massageteans, after which his son Cambyses II succeeded him. Even centuries after his demise, he is still remembered today as one of the greatest leaders in history.