A new beginning for the Middle East: The Cyrus Cylinder and Ancient Persia
Summary
TLDRThe Cyrus Cylinder, a clay artifact inscribed with cuneiform script, narrates the ancient Persian Empire's history under Cyrus the Great. It recounts Cyrus's conquests, his benevolent rule marked by the release of captives, and the significant return of the Jewish people to Jerusalem. The cylinder has evolved in meaning over time, influencing political thought from the Renaissance to America's founding, and symbolizing unity and diversity in Iran's complex history.
Takeaways
- ๐ The Cyrus Cylinder is a 2,500-year-old clay object inscribed with cuneiform script, offering a historical account of Cyrus the Great's reign.
- ๐ Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Empire, conquered Babylon and other regions, establishing a superpower in the ancient world.
- ๐๏ธ The Cylinder's inscriptions, written in Babylonian language and cuneiform script, highlight Cyrus's virtues and reasons for invading Babylon.
- ๐ After the conquest of Babylon, Cyrus released captives, including the Jews, allowing them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, a pivotal moment in Jewish history.
- ๐ The Cylinder's discovery in 1879 sparked discussions on the reliability of scripture, challenging the narrative presented in the Hebrew Bible.
- ๐บ The Cylinder's message was used by the Shah of Iran in 1971 to symbolize a return to a grand Persian tradition, influencing the country's historical narrative.
- ๐ The Cylinder represents the Persian Empire's tolerance and diversity, allowing various cultures, languages, and faiths to coexist within its vast territories.
- ๐ฐ The Persian Empire introduced new practices like coinage and administrative techniques to manage its extensive domain, setting precedents for future empires.
- ๐ฐ The Cylinder's significance extends to its role in shaping the concept of the 'Middle East,' reflecting the region's historical and cultural diversity.
- ๐ฎ The Cylinder's various interpretations and uses throughout history demonstrate how objects can acquire different meanings across time, enriching our understanding of the past.
Q & A
What is the significance of the Cyrus Cylinder?
-The Cyrus Cylinder is significant because it's an ancient artifact that provides a direct account of the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great, showcasing his policies of tolerance and the release of captives, which is a pivotal moment in Jewish history.
How old is the Cyrus Cylinder?
-The Cyrus Cylinder is approximately two and a half thousand years old, dating back to the time of Cyrus the Great.
What materials and writing system were used on the Cyrus Cylinder?
-The Cyrus Cylinder is made of clay and covered in cuneiform inscriptions, a writing system invented in Ancient Iraq before 3000 B.C.
Why is the Cyrus Cylinder written in the Babylonian language?
-The Cyrus Cylinder was written in the Babylonian language because it was intended for a Babylonian audience, and it was written in a Semitic tongue related to Hebrew, Arabic, and Aramaic.
What does the Cyrus Cylinder reveal about Cyrus the Great's conquest of Babylon?
-The Cyrus Cylinder reveals that Cyrus justified his invasion of Babylon by proclaiming his role as a liberator of captives, which was a significant act that resonated with the conquered people.
How did Cyrus the Great's actions after the conquest of Babylon impact the Jewish people?
-Cyrus the Great's decision to release the captives, including the Jews, allowed them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, which was a transformative event in Jewish history.
What is the connection between the Cyrus Cylinder and the founding fathers of the United States?
-The Cyrus Cylinder influenced the founding fathers of the United States through the works of Greek historian Xenophon, particularly his book 'Cyropaedia,' which presented Cyrus as a model ruler.
How did the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great and later Darius manage its vast diversity?
-The Persian Empire allowed for a great diversity of habits, patterns, languages, and faiths to coexist, setting a precedent for managing an empire of vast cultural and ethnic diversity.
What innovations were introduced by the Persian Empire to administer its vast territories?
-The Persian Empire introduced administrative innovations such as the use of cuneiform for record-keeping, the adoption of Lydian coinage, and the development of a diverse monetary system including the gold daric and silver siglos.
How has the Cyrus Cylinder been reinterpreted in modern times?
-In modern times, the Cyrus Cylinder has been reinterpreted as a symbol of unity for Iranians, a reminder of their historical victories, and a focal point for discussions on Iran's identity and its role in the region.
What role did the Cyrus Cylinder play in the 1971 celebrations of the Persian monarchy?
-In 1971, the Cyrus Cylinder was used as the official symbol of the celebrations marking the 2500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy, signifying a return to Iranian history and the Shah's attempt to position himself within that tradition.
Outlines
๐ The Legacy of Cyrus Cylinder
The paragraph discusses the enduring significance of objects like the Cyrus Cylinder, a clay artifact dating back 2,500 years. It highlights the Cylinder's historical context, originating from the Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great. The Cylinder, discovered in Babylon, is inscribed with cuneiform script in the Babylonian language, reflecting the empire's linguistic diversity. It details Cyrus's conquests, particularly his defeat of Babylon, and his proclamation of tolerance and the release of captives, including the Jews, allowing them to return to Jerusalem. This act is seen as a pivotal moment in Jewish history and is recorded on the Cylinder, which has since taken on various meanings across different generations.
๐บ The Impact and Influence of Cyrus the Great
This paragraph delves into the legacy of Cyrus the Great, emphasizing his reputation as a benevolent and tolerant ruler. It mentions the influence of Greek historian Xenophon's portrayal of Cyrus as an ideal ruler, which resonated with the founding fathers of the United States. The paragraph also explores the geographical extent of the Persian Empire, highlighting its administrative innovations like the use of cuneiform, the introduction of coinage, and the acceptance of cultural diversity. The Oxus treasure is introduced as an example of the empire's diplomatic gifts, and the paragraph touches on the religious practices of the Achaemenid period, suggesting a Zoroastrian influence.
๐ The Cyrus Cylinder's Evolving Significance
The final paragraph examines the Cyrus Cylinder's evolving role in historical and contemporary discourse. It discusses the Cylinder's impact on 19th-century debates about the reliability of scripture, contrasting the Cylinder's account with that of the Hebrew Bible. The paragraph also describes how the Cylinder was used as a symbol by the Shah of Iran during the 2,500th anniversary of the Persian monarchy, and its subsequent reinterpretation by the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Cylinder's exhibition in Tehran in 2010 is highlighted as a unifying symbol for Iranians, sparking discussions about Iran's identity and its historical narratives. The paragraph concludes by suggesting the Cylinder's potential to influence future regional and global dynamics.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กCyrus Cylinder
๐กCyrus the Great
๐กCuneiform
๐กBabylonian Empire
๐กPersian Empire
๐กDarius the Great
๐กZoroastrianism
๐กCoinage
๐กAchaemenid
๐กMiddle East
๐กReligious Tolerance
Highlights
Objects we create can outlive us, acquiring richer meanings over time.
The Cyrus Cylinder is an extraordinary object with a history spanning over two and a half millennia.
Discovered in 1879, the Cylinder is a small barrel-shaped clay piece covered in cuneiform inscriptions.
The Cylinder's origins lie in the ancient Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great.
Cyrus the Great's conquests included defeating King Croesus of Lydia and the Babylonian Empire.
The Cylinder was written in Babylonian, a Semitic language, and used the cuneiform script.
Cyrus declared himself 'King of the World, the Great King, King of Babylon' on the Cylinder.
Cyrus is portrayed as a liberator, releasing captives and allowing the Jewish people to return to Jerusalem.
The Cylinder's discovery challenges the authenticity of biblical scripture and its account of Cyrus.
The Cylinder has been reinterpreted in modern times, symbolizing unity and historical continuity in Iran.
The Cylinder's message is a direct address from Cyrus, offering a Persian perspective on history.
The Cylinder has been used as a symbol of Iranian identity and its ancient traditions.
The Cylinder's significance is highlighted by its role in debates about Iran's historical and cultural identity.
The Cylinder's inscriptions provide a unique insight into the administration and diversity of the Persian Empire.
The Cylinder's historical importance is underscored by its influence on the founding principles of the United States.
The Cylinder's journey from a clay tablet to a symbol of national identity reflects its evolving meaning over time.
The Cylinder's display in Iran in 2010 sparked discussions on Iran's past, present, and future.
Transcripts
One of the great things about the objects we make is that they live longer than we do.
So they can have many different lives.
In every one of their lives, in every different generation,
they can acquire different meanings.
So the meaning can become richer as time goes on.
One of the most extraordinary objects in that regard,
is the so called Cyrus Cylinder.
It's about two and a half thousand years old,
it's a small barrel shaped piece of clay
covered in cuneiform inscriptions.
Discovered in 1879 by a British Museum expedition to Babylon, now in modern Iraq
But to understand the Cyrus Cylinder,
we need to start with the world from which it came.
A world in which Iran/Persia reigned supreme.
Our story begins five hundred and fifty years before Christ
with Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire.
After uniting the Persian and Median tribes,
Cyrus came into conflict with King Croesus of Lydia,
in what's now modern day Turkey.
He defeated Croesus in battle,
Cyrus then clashed with the powerful Babylonian empire to the West.
In 539 B.C. he besieged their capital Babylon,
it fell with barely a fight.
Persia under Cyrus became a superpower of the ancient world.
Cyrus' conquest of Babylon had been predicted
and was described in the old Testament by the Jewish prophet Daniel.
That very night, the Babylonian region Belshazzar had held a feast.
He feasted using the sacred gold vessels from the temple in Jerusalem
and then suddenly miraculously there was a hand writing on the wall
and the writing said "you have been weighed in the balance,
you've been found wanting and your kingdom will be given to the Medes and the Persians".
So from this we have the expression 'the writing is on the wall'
and we have Rembrandt's great painting Balshaazar's feast.
Within hours the great empire of Babylon was no more.
Cyrus justified his invasion to the Babylonian people
in a proclamation written on clay tablets
such as this one which are likely to have been widely distributed.
Surviving fragments along with the Cyrus Cylinder carry identical wording.
Because the Cyrus Cylinder was meant for a Babylonian audience,
it was written in the Babylonian language
which is a Semitic tongue
related to the modern languages of Hebrew and Arabic and Aramaic.
The writing system which Cyrus' officials used was the traditional cuneiform script
which had been invented in Ancient Iraq well before 3000 B.C
it is written by pressing a stylus, something a bit like a chopstick
into the surface of the clay which is nearly dry
and the signs which convey the sound of the language
consist of different arrangements of these strokes,
they're written one by one
and the reader has to join them up
and the sound emerges from the clay.
This is the line that says
"I am Kurash, shar kishshati King of the world,
the Great King, King of Babylon" and so it goes on.
So we're going to write Kurash...
So the first sign 'Ku', has a big vertical,
two small horizontals, one bigger horizontal
a little vertical and another horizontal
like a box.
This is 'Ku'.
Then 'Ra', we have three strong horizontals to begin,
one big one next to it,
and then one little vertical wedge
and one bigger vertical wedge.
"Ku-Ra'.
Now we do 'Ash',
which is three long horizontals comme รงa
and then a vertical in the middle.
So we can read this Kurash, the name of Cyrus.
The early lines on the Cylinder extol Cyrus' virtues and his reasons for invading Babylon
but it's lines 30-35 that set Cyrus up as a great leader
in the modern liberal sense.
One of Cyrus' first acts after his conquest
was to release those who had been made captive by the Babylonians.
Now this was a mark of his style of rule
and it's this very event that is recorded on the cylinder.
So this was a key moment in the history of the Jewish people,
they had spent many years weeping by the rivers of Babylon
and now finally they were allowed to return to Jerusalem
and then to rebuild the temple.
The return to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon,
the permission from Cyrus to rebuild the second temple reshaped Judaism
and the notion of return is central to Jewish life and mythology.
No lesser person than David Ben-Gurion wrote -
'Cyrus displayed a spirit of charity towards his adversaries,
a unique tolerance towards all religions,
he Cyrus played a decisive role in the first return to Zion'.
Although Cyrus' empire was eventually broken up
the idea of Cyrus himself remained,
Cyrus as the model ruler.
The principle source for that view of Cyrus
came from the Greek historian Xenophon,
his book Cyropaedia was really about how to run an empire
with Cyrus as the model.
It was very popular all through the Renaissance
and particularly with the founding fathers of America.
And we know that Jefferson had two, possibly three copies
of Xenophon's 'Life of Cyrus' and referred to it regularly,
so there's a very direct link between the Cyrus Cylinder and the making of the United
States.
The Persian Empire founded by Cyrus the Great
reached its peak under the later King Darius.
Extending from Libya in the the Central Mediterranean
to the Indus Valley,
in modern day Pakistan.
It is the beginning of the idea of the Middle East,
an idea that we still live with today.
And when we use the words the 'Near East',
the 'Middle East',
we're talking about exactly the area that was the Persian Empire.
The frieze behind me is a cast of the frieze in the Royal Palace at Persepolis,
the Persian capital.
And it shows the different peoples of the Empire,
bringing their different tributes.
It's a perfect emblem of the variety of the Empire.
Every people brings their own kind of tribute
and the Persian Empire,
unlike others didn't try to crush people into one way of being or doing,
it allowed a great diversity of habits and patterns,
language and faith to live together.
It became the great model of how to run an empire of dizzying diversity.
Because it was such a vast area,
new practices and techniques had to be introduced
to administer this vast space.
The exhibition has tried to highlight some of these
all as the introduction of old Persian cuneiform,
there are technological introductions,
wonderful new forms of jewelery
and gold and silver bowls,
we find Aramaic becoming widely used at this time
and we've got the introduction on a large scale of coinage.
The King of Lydia is Croesus who rules a very prosperous nation
and Cyrus sees Lydian coinage in silver and in gold
and he adopts that coinage
and produces Croesids as we call these coins.
These coins show a lion attacking a bull
and it is until the time of Darius in 522 that this coinage is continued.
Darius introduces a completely new monetary coinage,
the gold daric, named after him.
And the silver siglos which derives from the Hebrew word for silver shekel.
He describes himself as a competent archer,
as a competent horseman, as a competent spearman.
So this imagery of the archer on his coins
is something definitely that the Persians would like to be portrayed as.
This armlet is actually one of a pair,
from the Oxus treasure,
the griffin terminals possibly show these are Zoroastrian Veragna bird
the surface is covered with lots of little cavities
for inlaying with semi-precious stone, glass or coloured paste
characteristic of the Achaemanid period.
Armlets were particularly precious diplomatic gifts at this time,
they're shown being brought by four of the different delegations
on the Apadana reliefs at Persepolis.
Amongst the objects of the Oxus treasure,
there are some fascinating votive objects in the form of gold plaques.
These figures wear a soft cap perhaps made of felt.
They had a chin guard this could be pulled up to cover the mouth .
When they were engaged in a religious act or ritual act in front of the fire
they had to protect the fire which is a holy element
and must not be polluted.
They hold consecrated wooden sticks the barsom.
We think the Achaemenids were Zoroastrians, an ancient religion
which gets its name from the prophet Zarathustra or Zoraster in Greek.
At a time when a number of Gods were worshiped
Zarathustra came and said no the creator of all is Ahura Mazda.
This is the official seal of the later King Darius
who put the Empire on a secure administrative and financial footing.
King Darius hunts a lion, above him is a winged figure
with the head of a human being
thought to be the Zoroastrian God Ahura Mazda,
the wording declares;
'I am Darius, the Great King'.
It's in three languages,
old Persian, Elamite and Babylonian.
These monumental official languages which sometimes also include Egyptian hieroglyphs
are another sign of the multi-cultural nature of the empire.
Almost everything that we know about the Persian Empire actually comes from Greek sources,
so was written by their enemies.
So it's a bit like knowing the story of 20th America entirely through Soviet sources.
And thats why this cylinder is so important
this is the Persians speaking as the Persians addressing the world
it's a message direct from Cyrus.
When the Cyrus Cylinder was excavated in 1879,
it brings Cyrus and indeed the cylinder into a totally different kind of debate
not about government, but about the reliability of scripture.
The middle of the 19th Century
was of course a moment when the authenticity
and the authority of scripture was being challenged.
Darwin is writing about evolution,
the discoveries of geology are making people wonder whether you can rely on scripture.
The Cylinder tells us that Cyrus is governed,
led by the God of Babylon Marduk,
the Hebrew Bible tells us that it was the Lord God of Israel
who governed Cyrus who conducts him through the whole military campaign
and so what we have in the Cyrus Cylinder
put beside the Hebrew Bible, the book of Chronicles, the book of Ezra
are two different priestly interpretations of the same military campaign.
It suggested that the Hebrew scriptures
must be part of a much bigger Middle Eastern religious tradition.
But the life that the Cyrus Cylinder could breathe into contemporary affairs was only
just beginning.
In 1971 for the two thousand five hundred year anniversary of the Persian monarchy.
The shah of Iran held lavish celebrations in the ancient capital Persepolis
and in Pasargadae the site of Cyrus' mausoleum.
The Cyrus Cylinder was the official symbol of the celebrations
once again it took on a new story.
The invention by the Shah of a return to Iranian history
to put him at the centre of a great tradition.
Coins were minted portraying the Shah and the Cylinder.
The Cyrus Cylinder as guarantor of the Shah
but soon the Shah was gone
and revolutionary Iranians wanted an Islamic history.
Since the Iran-Iraq war,
it's become a symbol of unity for all Iranians
to remember when two and a half thousand years ago
they fought Iraq and won.
It's worth reflecting on a moment when a Persian released the Jews
enabling them to go back to Jerusalem.
When the Cyrus Cylinder went to Tehran for exhibition in 2010
it was seen by about half a million people.
Muslims, Christians, Zoroastrians, Jews, everybody,
and it became the focus of a very particular debate about what Iran is today.,
What are the histories that will shape Iran now and in the future
and how will those affect therefore the future of the whole of the region
and indeed of the world.
In that intense debate I think it's possible that one of the most persuasive
and most powerful voices may well be the voice of this mute broken clay cylinder.
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