Cyrus the Great’s Commitment to Pacifism (Part I)

ISTANBUL (Daily Sabah) -- The recent news of the theft from the British Museum of irreplaceable data-x-items and the continuing issue of the return of some of its holdings to their original countries should not obscure the fact – indeed they help explain it – that the British Museum is one of the greatest museums in the world.

Within it, Room 52 is dedicated to the artifacts of ancient Persia, and in pride of place, in an exhibit case all of its own, is the object known as the Cyrus Cylinder. Surpassing its smooth alliterative sound is the importance of this remarkable 22.9-centimeter-long baked clay object. Discovered in 1879 in the ruins of Babylon, its cuneiform covering includes a justification for the dethroning of the king of Babylon by Cyrus the Great.

What is seen as particularly significant about it today is that, unusually for such an object, it does not boast of victory in conflict, but instead seeks to reassure the Babylonian people of Cyrus’ pacific intentions, relating Cyrus’ respect toward the local temples and his release of captives. This has led to it being claimed as an ancient “charter of human rights.” Although that is going too far, the cylinder does reflect the tolerant nature of the founder of the Persian Empire.

In the Book of Isaiah in the Bible, Cyrus the Great is acclaimed as “anointed” and empowered by God despite his being a pagan. This extraordinary honor is due to his freeing the Jews from their captivity in Babylon.

Seizing Control of Iran

Cyrus’ capture of Babylon follows that of his conquest of Anatolia, which is the subject of this piece. First, though, here is a brief sketch of Cyrus and his rise to power. His father was Cambyses I, the ruler of Anshan and vassal of the Median Empire, and his mother is claimed to have been the daughter of the Median ruler himself. After inheriting the rule of Anshan, as an energetic warrior, Cyrus quickly brought the tribes to the borders of his province under his rule. He then forged an alliance with the King of Babylon, which was an act of rebellion against his overlord the Median king. The latter marched south from his capital to Ecbatana (modern Hamadan) to put Cyrus in his place but ended up being defeated and captured by him instead, although Cyrus treated him well. Ecbatana then became the capital of a unified Iran under Cyrus as its sole ruler. Afterwards, as R. Ghirshman argues:

“This outstanding leader and able strategist had two political objectives. In the west, his aim was to gain possession of the Mediterranean coast with its seaports which were the terminals of the great routes crossing Iran, and to secure Asia Minor ... In the east, his aim was security.”

Moreover, four elements of his rise to power will be matched in his invasion of Anatolia, one of his Western objectives. They are his energy, his military brilliance, his being discounted by a supposedly more powerful ruler and his clemency to a defeated enemy. It is thus that he has deserved his epithet of “the Great.”