Cyrus the Great (Old Persian: 𐎤𐎢𐎽𐎢𐏁,[2] IPA: [kʰuːruʃ], Kūruš,[3] Persian: کوروش بزرگ, Kūrosh-e-Bozorg) (c. 600 BC or 576 BC – December[4][5] 530 BC), also known as Cyrus II or Cyrus of Persia,[6] was the founder of the Persian Empire under the Achaemenid dynasty.[7]
It was under his own rule that the empire embraced all the previous civilized states of the ancient Near East,[7] expanded vastly and eventually conquered most of Southwest Asia and much of Central Asia, parts of Europe and Caucasus. From the Mediterranean sea and the Hellespont in the west to the Indus River in the east, Cyrus the Great created the largest empire the world had yet seen.[8]
The reign of Cyrus the Great lasted between 29 and 31 years. Cyrus built his empire by conquering first the Median Empire, then the Lydian Empire and eventually the Neo-Babylonian Empire. Either before or after Babylon, he led an expedition into central Asia, which resulted in major campaigns that brought "into subjection every nation without exception."[9] Cyrus did not venture into Egypt, as he himself died in battle, fighting the Massagetae along the Syr Darya in December 530 BC.[10][11] He was succeeded by his son, Cambyses II, who managed to add to the empire by conquering Egypt, Nubia, and Cyrenaica during his short rule.
Cyrus the Great respected the customs and religions of the lands he conquered.[12] It is said that in universal history, the role of the Achaemenid empire founded by Cyrus lies in its very successful model for centralized administration and establishing a government working to the advantage and profit of its subjects.[7] In fact, the administration of the empire through satraps and the vital principle of forming a government at Pasargadae, were the works of Cyrus.[13] Aside from his own nation, Persia (modern Iran), Cyrus the Great also left a lasting legacy on the Jewish religion through his Edict of Restoration, where because of his policies in Babylonia, he is referred to by the people of the jewish faith, as "the anointed of the Lord." [14][15]
Cyrus the Great is also well recognized for his achievements in human rights, politics, and military strategy, as well as his influence on both Eastern and Western civilizations. To date Cyrus the Great and his historical signature define the national identity for many Iranians.[16] Cyrus and indeed the Achaemenid influence in the ancient world also extended as far as Athens, where many Athenians, adopted aspects of the Achaemenid Persian culture as their own, in a reciprocal cultural exchange.[17]
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