Ancient History - The Persian Empire under Cyrus the Great

Summarise the early life of Cyrus

Astyages, king of Media, was father of Mandane. A prophecy said Mandane’s child would be a threat to Media. Astyages ordered the death of her child and left him in Harpagus’ hands. Harpagus passed Cyrus to a shepherd and his wife who brought him up as their own. Cyrus grew up and beat a Median noble child, with Astyages summoning him and realising the relation. Harpagus’ son was killed and eaten, and Cyrus was sent back to Persia with favour. Persia was then a Median vassal state.

When did Cyrus become king?

559 BCE, and he had to swear loyalty to Astyages

What years did Cyrus rebel and what happened in the war?

From 553-550 BCE. Harpagus was appointed commander and with his grudge helped Cyrus, defecting and eventually defeating the Medians.

How did Cyrus treat Media?

He allowed Astyages to retire and was merciful, working with Medians; although he had some of Astyages’ family killed considering them a threat

Why were the Lydian people in modern day Turkey notable?

They invented the first gold and silver coins, influenced Ionian Greece, and established shops

What did the Oracle of Delphi tell the Lydian king Croesus would happen if he crossed the River Halys (border between Lydia and Persia?)

An empire would fall (it did not specify which one, Croesus believed it would be Cyrus’ but it was his own)

What happened in the Battle of Pteria?

Croesus attacked and enslaved Cappadocia, capturing Pteria. Cyrus asked Ionia to leave Croesus’ army, but they refused. Cyrus then defeated Lydia at Pteria. Croesus retreated to Sardis.

How did the war end?

Croesus appealed for help from Babylonia, Sparta and Egypt and disbanded the army for the winter. Cyrus surprised him with a counter attack, and used camels in the Battle of Thymbra to drive the enemy horses away. Sardis fell after two weeks of siege and Croesus was sentenced to death, but his last words moved Cyrus and the rain put out the fire on the stake.

In what year did Cyrus invade Babylon?

539 BCE

How did Cyrus conquer Babylon?

He dug streams to divert the River Diyala’s course. He then met at Opis where the Diyala and Tigris met, and Sippar was captured. He sent Ugbaru (governor of Gutium) to take Babylon. They took the neighbourhoods and then the city, and then the Persian army arrived.

What groups did Cyrus allow to return to their homelands after 539?

Jews (although not on the Cyrus Cylinder, they did benefit) and Assyrians. After Jews rebelled, many of them were exiled from Israel and Cyrus allowed them to return, therefore the Old Testament considers him a messiah, and the only non Jew to be a messiah.

Why was the Babylonian king Nabonidus unpopular?

He incorrectly worshipped and favoured one god (Sin) over another (Marduk). Cyrus claimed Marduk told him to invade in a dream, and Cyrus restored the proper worship.

What did Cyrus build at Pasargadae?

A new city, with renowned structures like the tomb of Cyrus, the Tall-e-Takht platform, a palace, public areas Cyrus met visitors etc

What other details about the remains are there?

400 acres on a hill above the plain, an audience hall, stone buildings, and an elaborate tomb for Cyrus

Where did Cyrus primarily campaign after 539?

Central Asia, primarily against the Massagetae

Before fighting, what did Cyrus and Tomyris (Queen of the Massagetae) agree to?

To decide on a side of the Axares river to fight on

After deciding it, what happened in the two battles?

Persia won the first and captured Tomyris’ son, Spargapises, who killed himself. The second battle saw a Massagetae victory and Cyrus’ death. Tomyris had his head cut off and put in a bag of blood.