Ruler · 600 BC – 530 BC
Cyrus the Great
Little-Known Facts
- The Hebrew Bible praises Cyrus as the liberator who let the Jewish exiles return and rebuild the Temple.
- A replica of the Cyrus Cylinder is displayed at the United Nations headquarters.
Myths & Misconceptions
Was the Cyrus Cylinder really a human rights charter?
It is often called one, but most scholars see it as a traditional royal proclamation; still, its themes of tolerance and restoration were notably humane for its age.