C
yrus the Persian, later known as ‘the Great’, was one of the greatest warriors of the ancient world. This military genius forged a band of ill equipped men into a superb army, which went on to establish the first truly great empire in civilization. Cyrus first led his men against Astyages of Media (551 BC), and then against Lydia (546 BC), the city of King Croeses whose name even today is synonymous with great welth. Cyrus then moved to attack Babylon, which was ruled by Nabonids. Nabonidus had offened the priests of the god Bel Marduk by bringing in other gods. Cyrus arrived at the mighty walls of the great city in 538 BC. After a brief skirmish Cyrus and his men entered the city without fighting helped by local priests. Though a conqueror, Cyrus proved to be a just and humane ruler. He respected local customs and religions and even allowed the long-exiled Jews to leave Babylon and return to Jerusalem.
Cyrus is known as the ‘father of the Iranian nation’. He was the first world leader to be referred to as ‘The Great’. The name Cyrus is the Greek version of the old Persian ‘Korus’ or ‘Khorvas’, which has been interpreted as meaning ‘like the sun’, by noting its relation to the Persian noun for sun, khor. However some modern historians, have suggested the translation ‘humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest’.
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