Cyrus the Great

Cyrus the Great was a humanitarian, a diplomat, a military strategist, and a ruler of the largest empire the world had ever seen up to that point.

Cyrus the Great was a remarkable man who became a legend in his own lifetime. The greatest testament to his good character and great achievements came to us via Persia’s enemies: the Greeks. It is said he served as an inspiration to Alexander the Great and Julius Caesar. Cyrus gained such hero status that his heritage was still claimed by the last shahs of Iran in the 20th century CE.

His policies included freedom of religion, equality of wages, and freedom of speech. His cultural and societal activities set in motion what we know today as human rights. The Declaration of Independence of the United States of America incorporates the major points Cyrus II of Persia focused on during his reign.

In this book, we delve into facts and mythology regarding his birth, his ascension to the throne, and how he built the largest empire of his time.

How do events from over two and a half millennia ago influence the current world we live in? As you read about the life and environment of Cyrus the Great, you may be tempted to compare modern rulers with this ruler who lived more than 2,500 years ago.

In this book, you will discover more about the following:

• The life of Cyrus the Great: both as a monarch and as a man.
• A dip into the milieu of cultures, influences, and worldviews of Cyrus’s time
• Cyrus’s multi-faceted Achaemenid Empire
• Mythology and religions of the era
• How Cyrus achieved harmony between conquerors and conquered
• The fall of the splendid city of Babylon
• A unique artifact that ties in with modern-day human rights
• Cyrus the Great’s legacy
• And so much more!