Cyrus the Shepard- The Cyrus Cylinder
New translation by Irving Finkel, Curator of Cuneiform Collections at the British Museum:
“Exalted Marduk, Enlil-of-the-Gods, relented. He changed his mind about all the settlements whose
sanctuaries were in ruins and the population of the land of Sumer and Akkad who had become like
corpses, and took pity on them. He inspected and checked all the countries, seeking for the upright king
of his choice. He took under his hand Cyrus, king of the city of Anshan, and called him by his name,
proclaiming him aloud for the kingship over all of everything. He made the land of the Qutu and all the
Medean troops prostrate themselves at his feet, while he looked out in justice and righteousness for the
black-headed people whom he had put under his care.
Marduk, the great lord, who nurtures his people, saw with pleasure his fine deeds and true heart and
ordered that he should go to Babylon. He had him take the road to Tintir, and, like a friend and
companion, he walked at his side. His vast troops whose number, like the water in a river, could not be
counted, marched fully-armed at his side. He had him enter without fighting or battle right into Shuanna;
he saved his city Babylon from hardship. He handed over to him Nabonidus, the king who did not fear
him. All the people of Tintir, of all Sumer and Akkad, nobles and governors, bowed down before him and
kissed his feet, rejoicing over his kingship and their faces shone. The lord through whose trust all were
rescued from death and who saved them all from distress and hardship, they blessed him sweetly and
praised his name.
I am Cyrus, king of the universe, the great king, the powerful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and
Akkad, king of the four quarters of the world, son of Cambyses, the great king, king of the city of Anshan,
grandson of Cyrus, the great king, ki[ng of the ci]ty of Anshan, descendant of Teispes, the great king, king
of Anshan, the perpetual seed of kingship, whose reign Bel and Nabu love, and with whose kingship, to
their joy, they concern themselves.
When I went as harbinger of peace into Babylon I founded my sovereign residence within the palace amid
celebration and rejoicing. Marduk, the great lord, bestowed on me as my destiny the great magnanimity of
one who loves Babylon, and I every day sought him out in awe. My vast troops marched peaceably in
Babylon, and the whole of [Sumer] and Akkad had nothing to fear. I sought the welfare of the city of
Babylon and all its sanctuaries. As for the population of Babylon […, w]ho as if without div[ine intention]
had endured a yoke not decreed for them, I soothed their weariness, I freed them from their bonds.
Marduk, the great lord, rejoiced at [my good] deeds, and he pronounced a sweet blessing over me…All
kings who sit on thrones, from every quarter, from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea, those who inhabit
remote districts (and) the kings of the land of Amurru who live in tents, all of them, brought their weighty
tribute into Shuanna, and kissed my feet.”
Biography:
C
yrus II (580-529 BC) was the first Achaemenid Emperor. Born into the pastoral nomadic
tradition, his family had settled in Mesopotamia in the early 530s BC. His father, Cyrus I was the
great clan leader who brought his family away from pastoral nomadism and into the more urban
traditions. 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.
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 also declared the first Charter of Human Rights known to
mankind. He took the title of "King of Babylon and 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 539 BCE 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 benelovent. The Hellenes, whom he
conquered regarded him as 'Law-giver' and the Jews as 'the annointed of the Lord'.
Prior to his death, he founded a new capital city at Pasargade in Farsi 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. Accoding 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.
SUMMARY: The Cyrus Cylinder
Purpose:
Point-of-View
OVER>>>
CONTEXT- THE BACK STORY- THINK THE STAR WARS SCRAWL.
MUST BE THREE, WELL CONSTRUCTED SENTENCES THAT CONTEXTUALIZE
THE DOCUMENT.