Cyrus the Great
The Legacy Cyrus The Great Left Behind
Olivia Crooker
Ancient Medieval, Orange 7-8
January 7th, 2014
Cyrus the Great, one of the most insightful leaders of his time, according to Ancient Greek historians such as Xenophon and Herodotus it was because of his ability to create a lasting empire. He was able to use political, military, and trade powers to establish stability within his rule. Historians have recognized this and his tactics are still used to this day. Cyrus was able to do something that not many ancient rulers were able to do-making such an impression on history, that it was enough to change the way things were done after him. He was able to govern most of the then-known-world and govern his people with a light enough that people wanted to be under his rule. He has been looked up to as one of the greatest kings to walk to Earth. When Cyrus began his rulership in 559 BCE he governed only a small area known as Persia, a much larger area surrounded Persia known as the Median Empire (See map below1). Media was a much larger, powerful nation. Herodotus first talks about these two nations as appearing in Mesopotamia around the year of 836 BC. They often referred to themselves as Ayran, while others called them Medes because of the area they inhabited.2 In 550 BCE Cyrus refused to give up his kingdom, and Media declared war against them. The Medes exceeded in military skills so to wage war against them was almost a death sentence. Cyrus was able to conquer the Medes and overthrow the king, claiming Media under his power. Cyrus was fulfilling the prophecy found in the Bible book of Isaiah where it tells what would happen to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Livius, "Darius: four Empire lists." 08 17, 2013. http://www.livius.org/da-dd/darius/darius_i_t09.html.
“It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the
Olivia Crooker
Ancient Medieval, Orange 7-8
January 7th, 2014
Cyrus the Great, one of the most insightful leaders of his time, according to Ancient Greek historians such as Xenophon and Herodotus it was because of his ability to create a lasting empire. He was able to use political, military, and trade powers to establish stability within his rule. Historians have recognized this and his tactics are still used to this day. Cyrus was able to do something that not many ancient rulers were able to do-making such an impression on history, that it was enough to change the way things were done after him. He was able to govern most of the then-known-world and govern his people with a light enough that people wanted to be under his rule. He has been looked up to as one of the greatest kings to walk to Earth. When Cyrus began his rulership in 559 BCE he governed only a small area known as Persia, a much larger area surrounded Persia known as the Median Empire (See map below1). Media was a much larger, powerful nation. Herodotus first talks about these two nations as appearing in Mesopotamia around the year of 836 BC. They often referred to themselves as Ayran, while others called them Medes because of the area they inhabited.2 In 550 BCE Cyrus refused to give up his kingdom, and Media declared war against them. The Medes exceeded in military skills so to wage war against them was almost a death sentence. Cyrus was able to conquer the Medes and overthrow the king, claiming Media under his power. Cyrus was fulfilling the prophecy found in the Bible book of Isaiah where it tells what would happen to Sodom and Gomorrah.
Livius, "Darius: four Empire lists." 08 17, 2013. http://www.livius.org/da-dd/darius/darius_i_t09.html.
“It will never be inhabited, nor will it be settled from generation to generation; nor will the Arabian pitch tents there, nor will the