The Cyrus Cylinder

In an era where human rights is an ever growing concern for peoples around the world, I decided to make a journey to see firsthand the Cyrus Cylinder, a clay object engraved with cuneiform script by the order of Cyrus the Great after the conquest of Babylon (The British Museum).

Cyrus the Great was an ancient ruler who was the founder of the first Persian empire. This empire was the largest geographical area in existence during its time. In 539 BCE, he conquered Babylon without having to fight, and the people embraced his rule with joy. The cylindrical shape of the inscription is typical of late Babylonian inscriptions, and the text indicates that it was intended to be buried in the foundation of the city wall of Babylon. As Cyrus captured the city in 539 BC, it is likely that Cyrus ordered this document to be deposited there. Throughout the document, Cyrus presents himself as a Marduk worshipper who strived for peace in Babylon and abolished the slave trade. Further, he claims that the people of neighboring nations paid tribute to Babylon, and that he reinstated their temples and religious cults, and also returned their exiled gods and their people (The British Museum). As it is written on the clay, “I returned the images of the gods, who had resided there, to their places and I let them dwell in eternal abodes. I gathered all their inhabitants and returned to them their dwellings.” (Cyrus Cylinder Translation)

With this background, a number of scholars have referred to the cylinder as a form of 'human rights charter' due to its references to just and peaceful rule, as well as to the restoration of deported peoples and their gods, an issue which is just as relevant today as it was then. Additionally, the Cyrus Cylinder is a vital source of knowledge with regard to Persian rule at its inception. In order to establish his authority, Cyrus relied on two factors to establish his legitimacy as a ruler, namely: descent from earlier kings and favor from the gods (Brooks). Although he ruled 530 years before Christ, his declarations of tolerance, justice, and religious liberty have inspired many people. If only today, in this age of war, injustice, migration and intolerance, I could resurrect Cyrus and his vision of rule.

The Cyrus Cylinder- © The Trustees of the British Museum- The Cyrus Cylinder.Photograph.The British Museum.https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/image/262857001