Cyrus the Great Builds an Empire

The Rise of the Medes and Persians in the 6th Century BCE

Mar 23, 2009

Creating the largest empire then known in history, Cyrus defeated the Assyrians, the Lydians, and the Babylonians, inaugurating 200 years of Persian rule.

One of the greatest ancient kings, Cyrus of Persia founded the largest empire known at that time, creating a military and political infrastructure lasting for two hundred years until the conquests of Alexander the Great. Yet historical records vary greatly as to his birth and early life as well as his death in battle. Cyrus reigned as a king for twenty-nine years, bringing most of the Ancient Middle East under Persian control.

Early Life of Cyrus the Great

Although there are four accounts of the birth and early years of Cyrus, the record of Herodotus is generally accepted as being the most accurate. According to Herodotus, Cyrus was born to Mandane, daughter of the Median King Astyages. Through a series of dreams, the king came to believe that his grandson would ultimately claim the throne, ending his dynasty.

Astyages delegated the task of murdering the newly born Cyrus to his trusted servant (and possibly relative), Harpagus. Harpagus, however, placed the child with a farm family. There is even mention by Greek historians that as a baby, Cyrus was reared by a she-wolf. Xenophon, whose birth account differs from Herodotus, claims that Cyrus was without guile and had great physical beauty.

Claiming the throne of the Medes and the Persians (his father, Camyses, was a Persian), Cyrus defeated his grandfather and then turned his attentions to Croesus and the Lydians in western Asia Minor. Croesus, having consulted several ancient oracles but choosing to act on the ambiguous answer received at Delphi, launched an attack. Unable to defeat Cyrus, he returned to his capital, Sardis, but Cyrus followed him, marching 1200 miles from Susa and defeating the Lydians.

Following his victories in Asia Minor, Cyrus returned to the Tigris and Euphrates rivers to conquer his one time ally against the Assyrians, Babylon. The city itself was well fortified. Herodotus recounts how Cyrus redirected the Euphrates, creating a dry bed under the city walls through which he marched his army, taking the city without bloodshed. The story, however, is not mentioned in the Persian accounts, found in the “Cyrus Cylinder.”

Herodotus further states that the Persians took the city during a period of festival, perhaps a celebration of the New Year. This conforms to the Old Testament account found in Daniel 5 that features the “writing on the wall,” advising Prince Belshazzar that his kingdom was lost. The subsequent arrival of the Babylonian king, Nabonidus, found the city solidly in the hands of Cyrus.

Cyrus was received by the Babylonians as a deliverer. Some scholars attribute this to King Nabonidus’ removal of traditional deities, restored by Cyrus. A feature of Cyrus’ reign was his tolerance of other religious beliefs, evidenced most notably by his treatment of Jewish captives. Few of the captives, however, returned to Jerusalem, many electing to remain in Babylon where they had made new and prosperous lives.

Theophilus Pinches, an early 20th century Lecturer in Assyrian at University College in London, argues that the Jews had played a role in Cyrus’ victory and that his warmness toward them after victory was a reward: “…the success of Cyrus was in part due to the aid given him by the Jews, who, recognizing him as a monotheist like themselves, gave him more than mere sympathy…” Cyrus’ acknowledgement of the God of the Jews is recounted in the Old Testament in II Chronicles 36.23.

Death of Cyrus the Great

The man who reportedly said that, “soft countries breed soft men,” died on the battlefield fighting the Massagetae. Yet even here there are several versions of his death, one story suggesting that he was either crucified or impaled by a Scythian queen. His legacy, however, was a well-run empire with an efficient bureaucracy connected by good roads.

John Barton and Julia Bowden, The Original Story: God, Israel, and the World (William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2004).

Theophilus G. Pinches, “Cyrus,” The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia Vol. II, James Orr, General Editor, (Wm. B. Eerdmans Publusing Company, 1939) p 773ff.

Donald B. Redford, Egypt, Canaan, and Israel in Ancient Times (Princeton University Press, 1992).

The copyright of the article Cyrus the Great Builds an Empire in Near Eastern History is owned by Michael Streich. Permission to republish Cyrus the Great Builds an Empire in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.