Cyrus the Great
Achaemenid Empire's founder
Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire in the 6th century BCE, conquering Babylon and uniting much of the ancient Near East under his rule.
He is remembered for his relatively tolerant governance, including freeing the Jews from Babylonian captivity and allowing them to return to Jerusalem.
The Cyrus Cylinder, an ancient clay document, records his conquests and policies and is sometimes called an early charter of human rights.
Achaemenid Empire's grand capital
- BabylonAncient Mesopotamian capital
- satrapSubordinate provincial ruler
- satrapyProvincial administrative district
- MedianOf the Medes
Darius · Xerxes · dynasty · realm · sovereignty · imperial · tribute · vassal
Ancient Mesopotamian capital
- LydiaTraditional woman's name
- CroesusByword for extreme wealth
- MediaMass communication channels
- siegeEncirclement forcing surrender
campaign · cavalry · Immortals · strategist · commander · victory · annexation · subjugation
Inalienable personal freedoms
- religious freedomRight to practice faith
- repatriationFormal return to homeland
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
- coexistenceSimultaneous presence together
liberation · Jews · Temple · exile · benevolence · clemency · magnanimity · mercy
Greek soldier-historian
- HerodotusAncient Greek historiographer
- historiographyStudy of history-writing
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
- archaeologyStudy of physical remnants
tomb · monument · founder · influence · heritage · classical studies · Alexander · Enlightenment
Organizational oversight and control
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
- postal systemOrganized letter delivery network
- roadsPaved paths for vehicles
coinage · taxation · reforms · policies · diplomacy · multiculturalism · trade routes · law
Persepolis
Achaemenid Empire's grand capital
- BabylonAncient Mesopotamian capital
- satrapSubordinate provincial ruler
- satrapyProvincial administrative district
Median · Darius · Xerxes · dynasty · realm · sovereignty · imperial · tribute · vassal · dominion
Babylon
Ancient Mesopotamian capital
siege · campaign · cavalry · Immortals · strategist · commander · victory · annexation · subjugation · battle
human rights
Inalienable personal freedoms
- religious freedomRight to practice faith
- repatriationFormal return to homeland
- pluralismCoexistence of differing views
coexistence · liberation · Jews · Temple · exile · benevolence · clemency · magnanimity · mercy · amnesty
Xenophon
Greek soldier-historian
- HerodotusAncient Greek historiographer
- historiographyStudy of history-writing
- antiquityGreat age, ancient era
archaeology · tomb · monument · founder · influence · heritage · classical studies · Alexander · Enlightenment · Jefferson
administration
Organizational oversight and control
- bureaucracyRigid administrative system
- infrastructureBasic physical systems
- postal systemOrganized letter delivery network
roads · coinage · taxation · reforms · policies · diplomacy · multiculturalism · trade routes · law · order
Zoroastrianism
Ancient dualistic Persian religion
ritual · sanctuary · sacred · divine mandate · piety · worship · offerings · religious tolerance
- historical rulersJulius Caesar, Charlemagne, Napoleon Bonaparte, Cleopatra, Alexander the Great
- MonarchsAugustus, Charlemagne, Constantine, Elizabeth I, Genghis Khan
- Warrior KingsAlexander the Great, Genghis Khan, Richard the Lionheart, William the Conqueror, Julius Caesar
- IranIran, Tehran, Isfahan, Persia, Shiraz
- Persian CulturePersian gardens, Persian garden, Nowruz, Persian rugs, Persian carpet
- Ancient LeadersAlexander the Great, Julius Caesar, Augustus, Pericles, Marcus Aurelius
Cyrus the Greattyrant
Cruel, absolute ruler
oppressor · Nero · Caligula · despot · persecutor
Cyrus the Greatconquered
Defeated and took control
defeated · vanquished · Croesus · subjugated · vassal