Cyrus the Great Facts & Worksheets

Cyrus the Great, the son of Cambyses I, is renowned primarily for establishing the Persian Empire, also recognized as the Achaemenid Empire. He elevated the Persian Empire to unprecedented global prominence throughout his nearly thirty-year reign. Alongside his military prowess, Cyrus is lauded for his pioneering efforts in safeguarding his populace’s fundamental human rights and religious liberties. Notably, after subduing the Babylonians, he reportedly intervened on behalf of the Jewish community residing in Babylon, permitting their return to Jerusalem.

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Key Facts & Information

MEDIA OR PERSIS

• Cyrus the Great’s birth year and birthplace have been subjects of debate, much like his place of origin, which remains uncertain. Some sources suggest he was born in Persis, present-day Fars Province, Iran. 
• In contrast, others assert his birth occurred in Media, a region governed by his grandfather, King Astyages.

MEANING OF HIS NAME

• The name “Cyrus” is commonly understood as the Latinized rendition of the Greek name Kỹros, which stems from the Old Persian name Kūruš. 
• Ancient Greek historians like Plutarch and Ctesias assert that Cyrus was named after the Sun (Kuros), a term that translates to “like the Sun” (Khorvash) in ancient Persian.
• Interestingly, some interpretations suggest that his name signifies the “humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest.” In the Hebrew Bible, he is referred to as Koresh. Additionally, some historians propose that his name may have Elamite origins, meaning “he who bestows care” in the Elamite language.
• The debate continues about whether “Cyrus” was his name or a title associated with the throne he occupied. 
• Supporters of the latter version contend that since his name vanished from historical records when the Persian Empire fell in the fourth century BCE, it was most likely associated with the throne. 
• Nonetheless, it is undeniable that Cyrus the Great was the second Persian ruler bearing the name Cyrus. His grandfather, Cyrus, King of Anshan, was the first to bear this name.

ANSHAN FAMILY ROOTS

• As per an ancient Akkadian cuneiform text, Cyrus the Great hailed from a lineage of rulers in Anshan. His father, Cambyses, was an Anshan ruler, and his grandfather, Cyrus, also ruled over Anshan.
• All three kings were believed to be descendants of Teispes, an early Achaemenid Persian king and the son of Achaemenes (7th century BCE), whose name became associated with both the dynasty and later the empire.
• Anshan, situated in the ancient region of Elam (nowadays southwestern Iran), enjoyed relative prosperity and power despite being a vassal state to the Median Empire. 
• The Median Empire significantly influenced Cyrus the Great’s ancestors for decades, often consolidating control through marital alliances.

EARLY LIFE, ACCORDING TO ANCIENT GREEK HISTORIAN HERODOTUS

• Though containing elements of fiction, the narrative of Cyrus the Great by Greek historian Herodotus provides valuable insights into the early life of the Persian ruler. Herodotus presents a familiar theme in the stories of many ancient Mesopotamian dynasty founders.
• According to Herodotus, King Astyages of Media arranged a marriage between his daughter and Cambyses of Anshan, a vassal state of Media. 
• From this union, Cyrus was born. Concerned by a prophetic dream, Astyages feared Cyrus would one day rise against him.
• He instructed his advisor, General Harpagus, to kill the infant Cyrus, but Harpagus instead entrusted the child to a village shepherd named Mithridates.
• As Cyrus grew, Astyages learned of his survival but took no action. Years later, Cyrus, now ruler of Anshan, led his army against Persis, the capital of Media, and deposed his maternal grandfather, King Astyages, around 550 BCE. He then incorporated the Median Empire into his Persian Kingdom.

HOW DID CYRUS THE GREAT DIE?

• The demise of Cyrus the Great has long been a topic of contention, owing to the various historical records. 
• According to Herodotus’s Histories, the Greek historian asserts that Cyrus met his end during a military campaign against the Massagetae along the Syr Darya in 530 BCE.
• The Massagetae, an ancient Eastern Iranian nomadic confederation, were led by Queen Tomyris. 
• Herodotus recounts that Cyrus sought to restore order in his northern territories and proposed marriage to Queen Tomyris as a peace offering, which she outright rejected. 
• Despite her warning against invasion, Cyrus pressed forward. Initially victorious over the Massagetae army led by Tomyris’s son, General Spargapises, Cyrus’s army exploited their opponents’ drunkenness to secure the triumph. 
• However, Spargapises, humiliated by defeat, took his own life.
• Enraged by her son’s death, Tomyris challenged Cyrus to a second battle, where the Persians suffered a complete defeat, resulting in Cyrus’s death. 
• Tomyris mutilated his body, decapitated him, and crucified him, placing his head in a wineskin filled with human blood.
• In contrast, Greek historian and physician Ctesias the Cnidian suggests that Cyrus perished while suppressing resistance from the Derbices tribe in Hyrcania. Similarly, Hellenistic-era Babylonian writer and priest Berossus claims that Cyrus died battling the Dahae in the Syr Darya region.
• Contrarily, Xenophon’s Cyropaedia recounts that Cyrus died of natural causes in his palace at the ceremonial capital, Persepolis.

SUCCESSORS

• Following Cyrus’s death around 529 BCE–530 BCE, his son and successor, Cambyses II, assumed the Persian throne. 
• Despite his relatively brief reign compared to his father, Cambyses II continued his expansionist policies, notably conquering Egypt, Cyrenaica, and Nubia. 
• After ruling for approximately seven years, Cambyses II was succeeded by his brother Bardiya, whose legitimacy was questioned by many, some alleging him to be an impostor. 
• Regardless, Bardiya’s rule lasted less than a year before being deposed by Darius the Great. To solidify his position, Darius married Atossa, the widow or sister of Cambyses II.

LEGACY

• Ancient Persians revered Cyrus the Great with a significance akin to the veneration Romans held for figures like Aeneas, Romulus, and Remus, or the Ottoman, Fatih Sultan Mehmed. 
• Despite centuries of hostility, the Greeks admired Cyrus’s leadership style, which is evident in the praise bestowed upon him by historians like Herodotus and Xenophon.
• Xenophon, in particular, lauded Cyrus as the epitome of an ideal ruler, urging Greek leaders to emulate his example. Cyrus’s leadership and military achievements profoundly impacted the Greeks and, consequently, the Romans.
• Even after conquering the Persian Empire, Alexander the Great admired Cyrus. He visited Cyrus’s tomb in Pasargadae, where he reportedly executed soldiers who had defiled it. 
• Alexander’s fondness for Cyrus was evident in his interest in Xenophon’s partly fictional work, Cyropaedia, which depicted the Persian ruler’s accomplishments. 
• According to Arrian of Nicomedia, Alexander commissioned his architect Aristobulus to refurbish the interior of Cyrus’s tomb, further illustrating his reverence for the Persian king.

OTHER NOTABLE ACHIEVEMENTS OF CYRUS THE GREAT

• Aside from establishing the Achaemenid Empire, Cyrus achieved numerous notable feats:
• In governing his vast empire, Cyrus employed royal officials known as satraps, numbering around 26. Unlike in the Median Empire, these satraps were not kings but viceroys who ruled on Cyrus’s behalf.
• Cyrus propounded human rights and religious freedoms, showcasing remarkable political acumen and military intelligence. His leadership style greatly influenced both Eastern and Western civilizations.
• He issued one of the earliest declarations on human rights and made efforts to abolish slavery within his empire, implementing property and land laws to prevent unlawful seizures.
• Cyrus is credited with constructing cities like Pasargadae and Persepolis, with Pasargadae serving as the political center of the Persian Empire. His successors, such as Darius I and Xerxes I, further developed these cities. 
• Persepolis eventually became the empire’s capital during Darius the Great’s reign, ranking among the world’s greatest cities.
• The cultural, military, and economic foundations laid by Cyrus facilitated the expansion of the Persian Empire under his successors. 
• By the peak of its power, the empire boasted over 30 million inhabitants across a territory exceeding 2.1 million square miles (5.5 million square kilometers). 
• The empire endured for centuries, witnessing the reign of numerous rulers until its eventual conquest by Alexander the Great of Macedon in the late 4th century BCE.

THE EDICT OF CYRUS

• The Edict of Cyrus found on the Cyrus Cylinder denotes a proclamation by Cyrus the Great granting permission and offering financial incentives for Jewish communities long held in bondage in Babylon to return to the Holy Land of Israel. 
• Additionally, Cyrus permitted them to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.

EPITHETS AND TITLES

• Cyrus the Great has been known by various names throughout history, including Cyrus II of Persia or Cyrus II. To the Greeks, he was known as Cyrus the Elder.
• Given the vast extent of his conquests, Cyrus the Great held numerous titles, such as King of the Four Corners of the World, King of Persia, King of Media, King of Kings, Great King, and King of Sumer and Akkad. 

Cyrus the Great Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Cyrus the Great across 26 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Cyrus the Great. Alongside his military prowess, Cyrus is lauded for his pioneering efforts in safeguarding his populace’s fundamental human rights and religious liberties.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

1. Cyrus the Great Facts
2. Family Roots
3. Must Know the Answers
4. Royal Timeline
5. Empire Building
6. Compare and Contrast
7. Greek Historical Play
8. Persian Garden
9. Legacy Worksheets
10. Propaganda Poster
11. Great Debate

Frequently Asked Questions

Who was Cyrus the Great?

Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire, ruling from around 559 to 530 BCE. He is renowned for his military conquests, administrative innovations, and his policy of tolerance towards the diverse peoples within his empire.

What were Cyrus the Great’s most notable achievements?

Cyrus is best known for his conquests which expanded the Persian Empire to become the largest empire the world had seen up to that time. He established a centralized government, introduced a system of coinage, and pioneered the concept of human rights with his Cyrus Cylinder, which declared religious and ethnic freedom for his subjects.

What was the significance of the Cyrus Cylinder?

The Cyrus Cylinder, a clay cylinder inscribed with Akkadian cuneiform script, is considered one of the earliest human rights documents in history. It records Cyrus the Great’s conquest of Babylon and his policies of tolerance and respect for diverse cultures and religions, including allowing displaced peoples to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples.

How did Cyrus the Great die?

The exact circumstances of Cyrus the Great’s death are unclear and subject to debate among historians. According to some accounts, he died in battle against the Massagetae, a nomadic tribe in Central Asia, while others suggest he was assassinated during a campaign in the eastern part of his empire.

What was Cyrus the Great’s legacy?

Cyrus the Great’s legacy is profound and far-reaching. He is remembered as a benevolent ruler who promoted religious and cultural diversity, established the foundations of the Persian Empire, and laid the groundwork for future empires in the region. His policies of tolerance and justice continue to inspire admiration and study to this day.

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