Iran and Cyrus
Inscription Honoring Cyrus, King of Persia There were many and many historical significance in history. One major historical significance that is talked about in this book, Sources of The Making of The West, is Cyrus the king of Persia. The time line for his existence and importance was in about 557-530 B. C. E. It shows a major idea of how Cyrus was important in history and tells a story of how he came in power. Cyrus brought a very new strategy to the world and its rulers all around, which was what gave him great power as a king.
The Persian King Cyrus was part of one of the most powerful kingdoms leading after the “Dark Age”(textbook, p. 37). His great ruling was primarily in Babylon but his ruling emerged all around the world; “(as to the region) from… as far as Ashur and Susa, Agade, Eshnunna, the towns of Zamban,Me-Turnu, Der as well as the region of the Gutians… ”(textbook, p. 39). He was recognized by a great lord or king of gods that wanted him to rule all the world that goes by the name Marduk. Marduk gave him royalty that brought him more wealth, power, and the biggest army in the world.
Leaders and kings all over the world that did not respect him now bowed down to him and had to follow his ruling. Cyrus was mostly known that when he got into a place he came in ruling with peace. Such as Babylon, the people of that place actually were, instead of being angry from being pressured to be ruled by a new king, happy when Cyrus became their king. He brought them more wealth and solved many of their problems that they had before; the book quotes Cyrus said “I brought relief to their dilapidated housing, putting (thus) an end to their (main) complaints”.
This source tells any reader as intended audience what history was like at that era and time. It shows how there was always governments and leaders that were not necessarily cruel and unfair. Such as king Cyrus he indeed went into a town and ruled but he did it with peace and offerings. This source clearly showed how there was central power that had a bigger power on top of it ruling it and the people such as king Cyrus and Marduk his lord and king of all gods. Which also shows that there were several gods that the people in that region ollowed and worshiped. Having a central power as a government that ruled far beyond cities but regions and countries. Overall this source provides a well round story that has a good central point of that era and specifically about king Cyrus. It draws a picture to the reader of how civilizations at that part of the world were at that time; how political structure and power was. It goes into great and vivid detail of how Cyrus went into power and why he was one of history’s always remembered king and leader.
