Cyrus Cylinder

Cyrus Cylinder
Prioryman · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	Cyrus Cylinder
Caption	The Cyrus Cylinder, on display at the British Museum
Created	539 BC
Discovered	1878
Discoverer	Hormuzd Rassam
Location	British Museum, London

Cyrus Cylinder

The Cyrus Cylinder is a clay cylinder that dates back to the Achaemenid Empire under the rule of Cyrus the Great, who conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 539 BC. This significant artifact is a proclamation by Cyrus, allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Second Temple after their Babylonian exile. The Cyrus Cylinder is considered a seminal document in the history of human rights and is often referred to as the "first charter of human rights".

Discovery and History

The Cyrus Cylinder was discovered in 1878 by Hormuzd Rassam, an Assyrian archaeologist, during excavations at the site of Babylon, in what is now modern-day Iraq. The cylinder was found in a temple dedicated to the Babylonian god Marduk, and it is believed to have been created in 539 BC, shortly after Cyrus conquered Babylon. The cylinder was likely placed in the temple as a symbol of Cyrus' respect for the Babylonian culture and his commitment to allowing the Jews to return to their homeland.

Physical Description

The Cyrus Cylinder is a clay cylinder, approximately 10 inches long and 4 inches in diameter. It is made of terracotta and features an inscription in cuneiform script, written in Akkadian language. The cylinder is in remarkably good condition, considering it is over 2,500 years old.

Inscription and Translation

The inscription on the Cyrus Cylinder is a proclamation by Cyrus, in which he declares his respect for the Babylonian gods and his commitment to allowing the Jews to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Second Temple. The inscription reads:

"Cyrus, king of Anshan, king of Anatolia, king of the Achaemenid Empire, son of Cambyses, king of Anshan, grandson of Chishpish, king of Anshan, of a family which has always been royal; [...] I, Cyrus, the king, say: 'I have let them (the Jews) go free, and have let them return to their Jerusalem and build the House of the Lord.'"

The translation of the inscription was done by Léon Lévêque de Meguel and Julius Oppert, two French scholars, in the late 19th century.

Significance and Impact

The Cyrus Cylinder is considered a significant document in the history of human rights, as it represents one of the earliest known examples of a charter or proclamation that guarantees the rights of a conquered people. The cylinder's message of tolerance and respect for different cultures has had a lasting impact on the development of Western civilization. The United Nations has referred to the Cyrus Cylinder as a "landmark in the history of human rights".

Historical Context

The Cyrus Cylinder was created in the context of the Achaemenid Empire, which was a vast empire that stretched from the Indus River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. The empire was founded by Cyrus the Great, who conquered the Neo-Babylonian Empire in 539 BC. The Cyrus Cylinder is a testament to Cyrus' tolerant and enlightened approach to governance, which allowed for the coexistence of different cultures and religions within his empire.

Legacy and Preservation

The Cyrus Cylinder is currently housed at the British Museum in London, where it is considered one of the museum's most prized possessions. The cylinder has been extensively studied and analyzed by scholars, and it has been the subject of numerous exhibitions and publications. In 2013, the Iranian government requested the return of the Cyrus Cylinder from the British Museum, but the request was denied.

Cultural Relevance

The Cyrus Cylinder has become a cultural icon, symbolizing the values of tolerance, respect, and freedom. It has been celebrated as a seminal document in the history of human rights, and its message continues to inspire people around the world. The cylinder has also been recognized as a significant cultural artifact by UNESCO, which has designated it as a Masterpiece of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

Category:Ancient Babylon Category:Achaemenid Empire Category:Cyrus the Great Category:Human rights documents Category:Clay cylinders Category:Archaeological artifacts Category:British Museum