Ancient Mediterranean + Europe
Course: Ancient Mediterranean + Europe > Unit 2
Lesson 9: PersianThe Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia
Cyrus claims to have achieved this with the aid of Marduk, the god of Babylon. He then describes measures of relief he brought to the inhabitants of the city, and tells how he returned a number of images of gods, which Nabonidus had collected in Babylon, to their proper temples throughout Mesopotamia and western Iran. At the same time he arranged for the restoration of these temples, and organized the return to their homelands of a number of people who had been held in Babylonia by the Babylonian kings. Although the Jews are not mentioned in this document, their return to Palestine following their deportation by Nebuchadnezzar II, was part of this policy.
The cylinder is often referred to as the first bill of human rights as it appears to encourage freedom of worship throughout the Persian Empire and to allow deported people to return to their homelands, but it in fact reflects a long tradition in Mesopotamia where, from as early as the third millennium B.C.E., kings began their reigns with declarations of reforms.
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- At, it is mentioned that Cyrus/Darius's empire is what we today call the Middle East. However, from what I learned, North African countries are not considered Middle Eastern, nor is Pakistan (which is considered South Asian). Are there multiple definitions of the term "The Middle East"? 6:48(10 votes)
- Did we take this legally or steal it like the Greek statues?(8 votes)
- It was most likely excavated by British archaeologists and brought back with the Authorities permission.(4 votes)
- Wasn't thedisplay of writing in another video? 3:46(7 votes)
- yes! it was! whew, i thought i was going crazy!(6 votes)
- Do you think that we should give back to these cultures the items that were removed during the 19th and early 20th centuries?(7 votes)
- I think it would be respectful towards their history to return these objects, especially if things get peaceful in the area, but I don't think that these museums are going to give them up.(4 votes)
- Is there a written translation of the Cyrus Cylinder available to read?(4 votes)
- There is a translation on The British Museum website here:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/explore/highlights/articles/c/cyrus_cylinder_-_translation.aspx(7 votes)
- How were coins like one seen ateven made since they were made of gold or silver? Also, what happened to the jewels from the sculpture at 9:15? 9:20(3 votes)
- Wait wait wait, atdont you pronounce Darius like dare-ee-us not duh-rye-us? 8:38(1 vote)
- Darius is a romanization of the Persian name "Dariush" (daa-ree-oosh). Also Cyrus corresponds with the Persian name "Kourosh" (koo-roosh). I don't know if the names would have been pronounced differently at the time, but they are common names that are still used today.(3 votes)
- I like that the seal was metioned. I find it very intreging that the actual confirmed seal is shown that was to be used by the King. Very cool that you can trace who signed what that far back by a simple image that was inscribed on the seal.(1 vote)
- Why is it called Cyrus Cylinder? I understand the cylinder part, but not the cyrus part.(0 votes)
- So are they saying the Middle east was unified under Cyrus? So what we just need a good strong leader like Cyrus and we could have peace there once again? Thanks, T.S.(0 votes)
- I wish, but I am sure that would not happen anytime in the near future.(3 votes)