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Cyrus II/
"the Great" (Medo-Persian Empire), 580-529 BC
 Cyrus
(580-529 BC) was the first Achaemenian
King. He founded Persia (contemporary Iran) by uniting the two original
Iranian tribes- the Medes and the Persians. After he conquered Babylon,
Cyrus allowed more than 40,000 Jews to leave Babylon and return to Palestine,
thus ending the "Babylonian Exile" (539 BC). (Ezra
1:1-8, NKJV)
Admired more as a liberator than a conqueror, Cyrus respected the customs
and religions of those he defeated, incorporating many of their institutions
into his empire. His decree, now known as the "Charter of the Rights of
Nations," cited his policies/aims for promoting peach and harmony:
When my soldiers in great numbers peacefully entered Babylon,
I did not allow anyone to terrorize the people. I kept in view the needs
of people and all its sanctuaries to promote their well-being ...Freed
all the slaves. I put an end to their misfortune and slavery.
Cyrus was killed in a battle in 529 BC (his
tomb). Cyrus' son, Cambyses II, succeeded him. For the most part, his
successors followed Cyrus' policies, allowing Persia to thrive in peace
and prosperity until its conquest by Alexander the Great in 331 BC.
Sources: Cyrus
the Great and Cyrus
the Great in Biblical Prophecy |
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Darius I/
"the Great," 521-486 BC
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 Darius
(521-486 BC) succeeded Cyrus' son Cambyses, after defeating many rivals.
Darius governed wisely and, for the most part, peacefully. A great administrator,
he established land and sea routes, a postal service, an offices of justice,
a police force, and a regular system of taxation. He was also a great builder,
founding the Persian capital, Persepolis.
Darius continued Cyrus’ policy of restoring the Jewish state, and under
his auspices, the Jews completed the rebuilding of the temple in 515 BC.
(Ezra
5,6, NKJV)
He was succeeded by his son Xerxes I. (Darius'
tomb)
Sources: King
Darius the Great. |
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