Cyrus was the founder of the ancient persian empire— a monarchy, perhaps, the most wealthy and magnificent which the world has ever seen. The text is written in akkadian cuneiform, the language of ancient babylon, probably by babylonian priests on behalf of cyrus It describes in great detail both the shortcoming of the erstwhile ruler nabonidus, and praises the legitimacy, prowess, and wisdom of his replacement, cyrus the great. Founder of the achaemenid persian empire, cyrus (kurosh) the great rose to the throne of a small kingdom in 559 bce By the time of his death in 529, he had brought virtually the entire near east under his control. While the cyrus cylinder is a unique and fascinating account and one that has undoubtedly served to reinforce his image as a benevolent and humane ruler, it does not necessarily reflect the reality of the great king’s reign.
Cyrus is admired more as a liberator than a conqueror of his vast empire because of his respect for human rights and the humane treatment of those he ruled.
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