The Cyrus Cylinder - World History Edu (2024)

TheCyrus Cylinderis a significant archaeological artifact from ancient history, often regarded as one of the earliest known declarations of human rights. It provides insight into the reign ofCyrus the Great, the founder of theAchaemenidEmpire (around 559-530 BCE), and reflects his approach to governance, particularly his policies of tolerance and respect for different cultures, religions, and governance structures.

Discovered in 1879 by Hormuzd Rassam, a British Museum archaeologist, during excavations at the site of Babylon in modern-day Iraq, the Cyrus Cylinder is made of baked clay and is roughly 22.5 cm (about 9 inches) long. The text is written in Akkadiancuneiform script, which was the lingua franca of the time in Mesopotamia. The cylinder’s inscription, though not exhaustive in length, outlines Cyrus’sconquestof Babylon in 539 BCE and his policies toward its people and their gods.

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Historical Context of the Cyrus Cylinder

To fully appreciate the significance of the Cyrus Cylinder, it is essential to understand the historical and geopolitical landscape of the time.

In the 6th century BCE, theBabylonian Empire, led by King Nabonidus, controlled much of Mesopotamia. However, Nabonidus was an unpopular ruler, particularly among the priesthood and citizens of Babylon, as he had disrupted traditional religious practices and moved the empire’s religious center away from Babylon to the city of Tayma, in modern-day Saudi Arabia. This estrangement from Babylon’s cultural and religious traditions created a fertile ground for discontent among its people.

Cyrus the Great, who had already expanded hisPersian Empireby conquering the Medes and Lydia, took advantage of this dissatisfaction. His conquest of Babylon was swift and relatively bloodless. In October 539 BCE, Cyrus entered Babylon, where he was welcomed as a liberator by many of its citizens. The Cyrus Cylinder was commissioned shortly after this event to commemorate his victory and document his policies toward the people of Babylon.

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The Content of the Cylinder

The text of the Cyrus Cylinder is divided into several sections, each reflecting different aspects of Cyrus’s policies and ideology. Although the inscription is damaged and parts of the text are missing, what remains provides valuable insights into his approach to leadership and governance.

The Overthrow of Nabonidus

The cylinder begins with a description of the Babylonian godMarduk’s displeasure with Nabonidus. According to the text, Marduk abandoned Nabonidus because of his impious behavior and failure to uphold Babylon’s religious traditions. The god then searched for a righteous leader to take his place, ultimately choosing Cyrus as the rightful ruler.

This part of the inscription is significant because it frames Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon not as an aggressive act of imperialism, but as a divinely sanctioned mission. By presenting himself as the chosen agent of Marduk, Cyrus legitimized his rule in the eyes of the Babylonian people and their religious leaders.

Cyrus’s Benevolence and Policies of Tolerance

The cylinder goes on to describe Cyrus’s policies after taking control of Babylon. He declares that he entered the city peacefully, without bloodshed, and that he respected the local religious traditions.

Unlike Nabonidus, who had centralized religious authority and neglected the worship of Babylon’s gods, Cyrus restored the city’s temples and returned sacred objects that had been confiscated.

One of the most notable aspects of the Cyrus Cylinder is its emphasis on religious tolerance. It records that Cyrus allowed the peoples conquered by Babylon to return to their homelands and restore their religious practices. This policy extended to the Jewish exiles living in Babylon, who were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, an event that is also recorded in the Hebrew Bible (in the books of Ezra and 2 Chronicles).

The cylinder’s portrayal of Cyrus as a liberator who respects diverse cultures and religions is central to its historical significance. In an era where rulers often imposed their own deities and customs on conquered peoples, Cyrus’s policies of tolerance and accommodation stood in stark contrast.

Restoration of Peace and Prosperity

The final part of the cylinder’s text highlights Cyrus’s efforts to restore peace and prosperity to Babylon and its surrounding regions. He claims to have improved the living conditions of the city’s inhabitants, rebuilt its infrastructure, and promoted economic stability.

This section of the inscription reinforces the image of Cyrus as a just and benevolent ruler who prioritized the well-being of his subjects. By presenting himself as a restorer of order and peace, Cyrus aimed to solidify his legitimacy and win the loyalty of his new subjects.

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Symbolism and Legacy of the Cyrus Cylinder

The Cyrus Cylinder is often hailed as an early charter of human rights, particularly because of its emphasis on religious tolerance, freedom of movement, and the protection of cultural heritage. Though the concept of “human rights” in the modern sense did not exist in the ancient world, the values reflected in the cylinder—such as respect for diversity and the well-being of conquered peoples—resonate with contemporary ideals of governance and human dignity.

Cyrus’s policy of allowing exiled peoples to return to their homelands, for instance, is seen as a precursor to the modern principle of self-determination. Similarly, his respect for the religious customs of the peoples he conquered is in line with today’s emphasis on freedom of religion and belief.

The cylinder’s impact on later history is perhaps best illustrated by its influence on the Jewish people. As mentioned earlier, the Hebrew Bible records Cyrus’s decree allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, an event that marked the end of the Babylonian exile and the beginning of the Second Temple period in Jewish history. For this reason, Cyrus is remembered as a messianic figure in Jewish tradition, and his actions are celebrated during Jewish festivals such as Purim.

Beyond its influence on Jewish history, the Cyrus Cylinder has also been embraced as a symbol of universal values by various cultures and political movements. In the 20th century, for example, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, invoked the legacy of Cyrus the Great as part of his effort to promote a modern, secular identity for Iran. In 1971, the Shah commissioned a replica of the Cyrus Cylinder to be presented to the United Nations as a symbol of Iran’s contribution to global civilization and human rights.

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Modern Interpretations and Controversies

While the Cyrus Cylinder has been widely celebrated as an early declaration of human rights, some scholars have questioned this interpretation.

Critics argue that the cylinder is, first and foremost, a piece of royal propaganda, intended to legitimize Cyrus’s rule over Babylon and portray him in a favorable light. As such, the inscription should be understood within the context of ancient Near Eastern political traditions, where kings often used public inscriptions to justify their conquests and present themselves as benevolent rulers.

Moreover, the idea that the Cyrus Cylinder represents a universal declaration of human rights is a relatively modern interpretation. The cylinder itself makes no explicit mention of concepts such as individual liberty, equality before the law, or freedom from oppression, which are central to contemporary understandings of human rights. Instead, the inscription focuses on the restoration of religious and cultural practices within the specific context of Babylon and its empire.

Despite these debates, the Cyrus Cylinder remains an important historical artifact, both for its insights into the reign of Cyrus the Great and for the values it represents. Its emphasis on tolerance, cultural diversity, and good governance continues to inspire discussions about leadership and human rights in the modern world.

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What is the significance of the first part of the inscription (Lines 1-18)?

The first section of the inscription, written in the third person, describes Cyrus’s rise to power and portrays Nabonidus, the last king of Babylon, as an impious ruler who neglected the worship of Marduk, Babylon’s chief deity. The people, suffering under Nabonidus, prayed to the gods for relief, and Marduk chose Cyrus as a worthy ruler to restore order. This section frames Cyrus’s conquest as divinely sanctioned and presents him as a liberator of the Babylonian people.

How does the cylinder depict Nabonidus?

Nabonidus is depicted as a failed and oppressive king who angered the gods by neglecting their worship, particularly that of Marduk. His impiety is said to have caused the suffering of his people, and the text uses this portrayal to justify his overthrow by Cyrus.

What does Cyrus claim in the second part of the cylinder (First-Person Declaration)?

In the second part of the inscription, Cyrus speaks in the first person, listing his royal titles and emphasizing his respect for Babylonian religious practices. He claims to have restored the worship of Marduk, returned sacred objects to their rightful temples, and allowed exiled peoples, such as the Jewish exiles, to return to their homelands. Cyrus presents himself as a benevolent ruler who respects the customs and beliefs of the diverse cultures within his empire.

How is Cyrus depicted in contrast to Nabonidus?

Cyrus is portrayed as a savior and benevolent ruler, chosen by the gods to restore justice and order. In contrast to Nabonidus, who is shown as impious and oppressive, Cyrus is depicted as a just leader who respects the religious practices of Babylon and cares for his subjects.

What are some interpretations of the Cyrus Cylinder?

Over time, the Cyrus Cylinder has been interpreted in several ways. Initially, some historians viewed it as a historically accurate account of Cyrus’s actions. Today, many scholars see it as a form of propaganda meant to legitimize Cyrus’s rule. Some interpret the cylinder as supporting the biblical account of Cyrus’s release of the Jewish exiles, while others view it as an example of how Cyrus used religion to justify his conquest.

What is the link between the Cyrus Cylinder and the Hebrew Bible?

Some historians draw parallels between the Cyrus Cylinder and the Hebrew Bible, which portrays Cyrus as a divinely chosen ruler who liberates the Jewish people and helps them rebuild their temple in Jerusalem. While the cylinder does not specifically mention the Jews, it refers to the return of exiled peoples, which is seen as a possible confirmation of the biblical account.

Why is the Cyrus Cylinder often considered propaganda?

The cylinder is seen as propaganda because it depicts Cyrus as a divinely chosen ruler who overthrew Nabonidus due to the latter’s impiety. The portrayal of Nabonidus is likely exaggerated to legitimize Cyrus’s conquest. The text uses religious themes to gain the support of Babylonian priests and the people by aligning Cyrus with their chief deity, Marduk.

Why has the Cyrus Cylinder been referred to as the “first charter of human rights”?

In 1971, the Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, promoted the Cyrus Cylinder as the “first charter of human rights” during the 2500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy. This idea has been widely circulated, particularly after a replica of the cylinder was presented to the United Nations. However, many scholars consider this interpretation anachronistic, as the cylinder’s policies were more about political pragmatism and religious tolerance than universal human rights.

Is the claim that the Cyrus Cylinder is a declaration of human rights accurate?

No, the claim is largely considered anachronistic by scholars. While the Cyrus Cylinder emphasizes policies of religious tolerance, it does not reflect modern concepts of human rights. For instance, slavery continued in the Achaemenid Empire, and the cylinder’s policies were more about maintaining stability in newly conquered territories rather than promoting universal human freedoms.