Cyrus the Great

Quick Facts: Who was Cyrus the Great?

Subject:

Cyrus the Great

Known for:

Founder of the Achaemenid Empire, renowned for tolerance and vast conquests.

Born:

600 BC

Died:

530 BC

Century / Era:

-600s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Cyrus II of Persia (c. 600 – 530 BC), commonly known as Cyrus the Great, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Hailing from Persis, he brought the Achaemenid dynasty to power by defeating the Median Empire and embracing all of the previous civilized states of the ancient Near East, expanding vastly across most of West Asia and much of Central Asia to create what would soon become the largest empire in history at the time. The Achaemenid Empire's greatest territorial extent was achieved under Darius the Great, whose rule stretched from Southeast Europe and Northeast Africa in the west to the Indus Valley in the east. After absorbing the Median Empire, Cyrus conquered Lydia and eventually the Neo-Babylonian Empire, granting him control of Anatolia and the Fertile Crescent, respectively. He also led a major expedition into Central Asia, where his army brought "into subjection every nation without exception" before he allegedly died in battle with the Massagetae, a nomadic Eastern Iranian people, along the Syr Darya in December 530 BC.

Career & Major Achievements

However, according to Xenophon of Athens, Cyrus did not die fighting and had instead returned to the capital city of Pasargadae. He was succeeded by his son Cambyses II, whose campaigns led to the conquests of Egypt, Nubia, and Cyrenaica during his short reign. To the Greeks, he was known as Cyrus the Elder and was particularly renowned among contemporary scholars because of his habitual policy of tolerance for peoples' customs and religions in the lands that he conquered. Similarly, he is exalted in Judaism for his role in freeing the Jewish people from the Babylonian captivity by issuing the Edict of Restoration following the Persian conquest of Babylon. This event is described in the Hebrew Bible as the return to Zion, whereby displaced Jews were repatriated to what had been the Kingdom of Judah, thus enabling the resurgence of Jewish sovereignty in the Land of Israel.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Cyrus also facilitated Jewish aspirations for a new Temple in Jerusalem in the Achaemenid Empire's province of Yehud, where the original Solomon's Temple had once stood before being destroyed during the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem. His efforts resulted in the completion of the Second Temple, which marked the beginning of the Second Temple period and Second Temple Judaism. According to the Book of Isaiah, he was anointed by Yahweh and explicitly designated "messiah" for this task; Cyrus is the only non-Jewish figure to be revered in this capacity. In addition to his influence on traditions in both the East and the West, Cyrus is recognized for his achievements in politics and military strategy. He was influential in developing the system of a central administration at his capital city to govern the Achaemenid Empire's satraps, who worked for the profit of both rulers and subjects.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 600 BC: Birth of Cyrus the Great — Founder of the Achaemenid Empire, renowned for tolerance and vast conquests.
2. 530 BC: Passing & Historical Legacy — Cyrus the Great passed away on -530, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Cyrus the Great

True or False: “Cyrus the Great was solely responsible for establishing Judaism's Second Temple period in Jerusalem.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): While he facilitated its completion and restoration, the process involved multiple historical developments and figures.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Draco (legislator) — Contemporary (Died in -600) (-600): The first legislator of Athens, known for his harsh written legal code.
• Gelon — Contemporary (Born in -600) (-600): Founder of the Deinomenid dynasty in Sicily, a powerful Greek tyrant.
• Gnaeus Marcius Coriolanus — Contemporary (Born in -600) (-600): A prominent, yet historically debated, Roman general of the 5th century BCE.
• Mahavira — Contemporary figure (Born in -599) (-599): 24th Tirthankara of Jainism; spiritual reformer from the 6th century BCE.
• Croesus — Contemporary figure (Born in -596) (-596): Last King of Lydia, famed for immense wealth and defeat by Cyrus the Great.
• Nabopolassar — Contemporary figure (Died in -605) (-605): Founder and first king of the powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire.
• Necho II — Contemporary figure (Died in -595) (-595): Pharaoh of the 26th Dynasty, known for ambitious military campaigns and construction.
• -600 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -600
• -530 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from -530

Frequently Asked Questions about Cyrus the Great