Cyrus
( Kourosh in Persian, Kouros in Greek )
"I am Cyrus, who founded the empire of the Persians.
Grudge me not therefore, this little earth that covers my body."
Cyrus (580-529 BC) was the first
Achaemenian Emperor. He founded Persia by uniting the two original Iranian
Tribes- the Medes and the Persians. Although he was known to be a great
conqueror, who at one point controlled one of the greatest Empires ever seen, he
is best remembered for his unprecedented tolerance and magnanimous attitude
towards those he defeated.
Upon his victory over the Medes, he founded
a government for his new kingdom, incorporating both Median and Persian nobles
as civilian officials. The conquest of Asia Minor completed, he led his armies
to the eastern frontiers. Hyrcania and Parthia were already part of the Median
Kingdom. Further east, he conquered Drangiana, Arachosia, Margiana and Bactria.
After crossing the Oxus, he reached the Jaxartes, where he built fortified towns
with the object of defending the farthest frontier of his kingdom against
nomadic tribes of Central Asia. The victories to the east led him again to the
west and sounded the hour for attack on Babylon and Egypt. When he conquered
Babylon, he did so to cheers from the Jewish Community, who welcomed him as a
liberator- he allowed the Jews to return to the promised Land. He showed great
forbearance and respect towards the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of
other races. These qualities earned him the respect and homage of all the people
over whom he ruled.
As Prof. Richard Frye of Harvard said (in
The Heritage of Persia, p10-151):
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"In the victories of the
Persians... what was different was the new policy of reconciliation and
together with this was the prime aim of Cyrus to establish a pax
Achaemenica..... If one were to assess the achievements of the Achaemenid
Persians, surely the concept of One World, .... the fusion of peoples and
cultures in one 'Oecumen' was one of their important legacies"
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The victory over Babylonia expressed all
the facets of the policy of conciliation which Cyrus had followed until then. He
presented himself not as a conqueror, but a liberator and the legitimate
successor to the crown. He took the title of "King of Babylon_ King of the
Land". Cyrus had no thought of forcing conquered people into a single mould, and
had the wisdom to leave unchanged the institution of each kingdom he attached to
the Persian Crown. In 537 BC he allowed more than 40,000 Jews to leave Babylon
and return to Palestine. This step was in line with his policy to bring peace to
Mankind. A new wind was blowing from the east, carrying away the cries and
humility of defeated and murdered victims, extinguishing the fires of sacked
cities, and liberating nations from slavery.
Cyrus was upright, a great leader of men,
generous and benevolent. The Hellenes, whom he conquered regarded him as
'Law-giver' and the Jews as 'the anointed of the Lord'.
Prior to his death, he founded a new
capital city at Pasargadae in Fars. and had established a government for his
Empire. He appointed a governor (satrap) to represent him in each province,
however the administration, legislation, and cultural activities of each
province was the responsibility of the Satraps. According to Xenophon Cyrus is
also reputed to have devised the first postal system, (Achaemenide
achievements).
His doctrines were adopted by the future
emperors of the Achaemenian dynasty.
Darius I (521-486 BC) brought together skills
and craftsmen from all over the empire in building the city of Persepolis.
Excerpts with the
kind permission of the Persian Cultural Foundation of Australia, the Iranian
Cultural & Educational Society, and in memory of The First Persian Cultural
Festival of Sydney, 28th October-6th November 1994, Jashne Mehregan- Festival of
Peace, Love and Harmony.
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