Cyrus II (or Kourosh in Persian; Kouros in Greek) is regarded as one of the most outstanding figures in history; needless to say I was amazed to discover that he is my direct ancestral line. Cyrus also declared the first Charter of Human Rights known to mankind; and even biblical scriptures foretell of him with great honour. Although many descendants of from royal lines have disadvantages by either sibling rivalry or power struggle characteristic handed down. Consequently direct descendants often find themselves cut-off or disassociated because of monarch power struggles and such “spiritual and physical characteristics inheritant” to their royal line.1
Cyrus was raised away from his father and grandfather, until later one in his life. He ruled the Achaemenian Empire (including Pakistan); his reign was tempered with wisdom and tact. The Persians called him 'father'; the Greeks, whom he conquered, saw him as 'a worthy ruler', and the Hebrews something altogether different (of a spiritual nature). Interesting enough that Queen Ester, of the Hebrews (called Hadassah) is of Cyrus's genealogy line just a few generations before, in fact. Perhaps this is why God inspired his prophet Isaiah to prophesy about him 150 years before such an important history would begin.2
His ideals were high, as he laid down that no man was fit to rule unless, he was more capable than all of his subjects. As an administrator Cyrus' insight was great, and he showed himself both intelligent and reasonable, and thereby made his rule easier than that of his previous conquerors. His humanity was equalled by his freedom from pride, which induced him to meet people on the same level, instead of affecting the remoteness and aloofness, which characterized the great monarchs who preceded and followed him.3
History has further labelled him as a genius, diplomat, manager, and leader of men, the first great propagandist and able strategist. Cyrus was indeed worthy of the title "Great". From his many conquests he established a large empire stretching from the Mediterranean in the west to eastern Iran, and from the Black Sea in the north to Arabia. One could indeed compare him to Alexander "the Great."4
John F. Kennedy once said: "A revolution is coming - a revolution which will be peaceful if we are wise enough; compassionate if we care enough; successful if we are fortunate enough - but a revolution which is coming whether we will it or not. We can affect its character, we cannot alter its inevitability." Perhaps Cyrus felt the same way, only God used him to bring in the revolution.5
After victory over Babylonia, Cyrus presented himself NOT AS A CONQUEROR but a liberator, and the legitimate successor to the crown. He took the title of "King of Babylon_ King of the Land". Cyrus had no thought of forcing conquered people into a single mould, and had the wisdom to leave unchanged the institution of each kingdom he attached to the Persian Crown. In 537 BC he allowed more than 40,000 Jews to leave Babylon and return to Palestine. The most astounding thing of all was his compassionate insight which was in line with his policy to bring peace to Mankind. A new wind was blowing and would carry away the cries of the mistreated, of the defeated, and murdered victims, extinguishing the fires of sacked cities, and liberating nations from slavery.6
Cyrus was upright (called out and stirred-up by God), great revolutionary leader like no other; who actually declare that no one should be allowed to lead "if there were someone better to do so."7
The Hellenes, whom he conquered, regarded him as 'Law-giver' and the Hebrews as 'the anointed of the Lord'.8
Cyrus was killed in 530 BC during a campaign in the north-eastern part of his empire. Xenophon (in the Cyropaedia) wrote about him:9
"He is able to extend the fear of himself over so great a part of the world that he astonished all, and no one attempted anything against him. Cyrus was able to inspire all- with so great a desire of pleasing him- that they wished to be governed by his opinions.”10
Author notes
www.persiandna.com/his_achaem.htm
www.angelfire.com/nv/TheOliveBranch/append57.html
www.american-pictures.com/genealogy/descent/Cyrus.the.Great.htm
www.iranchamber.com/history/cyrus/cyrus.php
www.artarena.force9.co.uk/cyrus.htm
ISAIAH 45: (Isaiah made this BIBLICAL prophecy 150 years before Cyrus, my ancestor was born) www.believers.org/hughross.htm
1 Thus saith the LORD to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I have holden, to subdue nations before him; and I will loose the loins of kings, to open before him the two leaved gates; and the gates shall not be shut;
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
4 For Jacob my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee by thy name: I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me.
5 I am the LORD, and there is none else, there is no God beside me: I girded thee, though thou hast not known me:
6 That they may know from the rising of the sun, and from the west, that there is none beside me. I am the LORD, and there is none else.
7 I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
8 Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour down righteousness: let the earth open, and let them bring forth salvation, and let righteousness spring up together; I the LORD have created it.
9 Woe unto him that striveth with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth. Shall the clay say to him that fashioneth it, What makest thou? or thy work, He hath no hands?
10 Woe unto him that saith unto his father, What begettest thou? or to the woman, What hast thou brought forth?
11 Thus saith the LORD, the Holy One of Israel, and his Maker, Ask me of things to come concerning my sons, and concerning the work of my hands command ye me.
12 I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded.
13 I have raised him up in righteousness, and I will direct all his ways: he shall build my city, and he shall let go my captives, not for price nor reward, saith the LORD of hosts.
14 Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, saying, Surely God is in thee; and there is none else, there is no God.
15 Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself, O God of Israel, the Saviour.
16 They shall be ashamed, and also confounded, all of them: they shall go to confusion together that are makers of idols.
17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.
18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.
22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.
23 I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.
24 Surely, shall one say, in the LORD have I righteousness and strength: even to him shall men come; and all that are incensed against him shall be ashamed.
25 In the LORD shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory.
EZRA 1: 1-4
1 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying,
2 Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me all the kingdoms of the earth; and he hath charged me to build him an house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah.
3 Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the house of the LORD God of Israel, (he is the God,) which is in Jerusalem.
4 And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is in Jerusalem.
What did you think? Please comment!
Comments
-
Excellent, Informative
This is really informative and interesting: made moreso by your skill with weaving words. I am most familiar with Cyrus, mainly because he is one of the Bible's characters; and, you know that is where I dwell most of the time.
You might want to consider doing one more edit for a couple of minor problems; and, I strongly suggest that the next to last paragraph really needs to be broken out into at least three. Otherwise, this is a very impressive piece, even more gratifying in that you included the validating scriptural text.
Keep up the good work, dear one!
Love and hugs, B♥nnieQ
Edited on Nov 20, 11:12 because ''. -
Really informative write and an enjoyable read .
Adding your comment:
