The Cyrus Cylinder
European Museums, The British MuseumThe Cyrus Cylinder
This dates from the reign of Cyrus the Great who ruled Iran between 550 and 530 B.C. It describes this king's peaceful capture of Babylon in the year 539 B.C. and how he rebuilt the main temple there. The text, written in a script called cuneiform, claims that Cyrus restored temples in neighboring cities and returned deported people to their homes. With reference to his just and peaceful rule, this object has been referred to as an early 'charter of human rights'.
Mid 6th century B.C., Babylon, Iraq
What does the Cyrus Cylinder say?
'I am Cyrus, king of the world, great king, legitimate king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four rims (of the earth), son of Cambyses, great king, king of Anshan, descendant of Teispes, great king, king of Anshan, of a family (which) always (exercised) kingship'. (Extract from the Cyrus Cylinder)
The Cyrus Cylinder is one of the most famous historical documents of the Achaemenid Empire. It was written by a Babylonian scribe in cuneiform script, in the 6th century B.C. The cylinder records Cyrus' peaceful capture of Babylon in 539 B.C.
Supplementary images:
The Cyrus Cylinder
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