"Cyrus the Great was a transformational figure: an exceptional leader, general, and visionary. He was also the founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, which dominated the world stage from the Mediterranean to the Indus during the sixth through fourth centuries BCE. When Cyrus took the royal title "King of the World" in 539 BCE, it was closer to a literal reality than for any ruler before him in history. Cyrus the Great thus was an object of fascination even in antiquity, well-regarded among several peoples in almost every accounting of his life. This book treats the stories of Cyrus' birth, conquests, and reign through multiple perspectives, grounded in analysis of ancient sources from the Persians, Elamites, Babylonians, Judeans, and Greeks. Cyrus theGreat remains a worthy object of attention for the imprint he left on world history, anywhere the ancient Achaemenid Empire touched in antiquity, and its legacy thereafter"--
The Persian Empire was the world's dominant geo-political force from the later sixth century to its conquest by Alexander in the 330s BCE. Much of the empire's territory was conquered by its founder, Cyrus the Great. King of the World provides the most cohesive and readable portrait of the ruler, whose immense impact on ancient civilization is not fully appreciated.
The Persian Empire was the world's first hyperpower, with territory stretching from Central Asia to Northeastern Africa and from Southeastern Europe to the Indus Valley. It was the dominant geopolitical force from the later sixth century to its conquest by Alexander in the 330s BCE. Much of the empire's territory was conquered by its founder, Cyrus the Great, who reigned from 559-530 BCE. Cyrus became a legend in his own lifetime, and his career inspired keen interest from Persia's unruly neighbors to the west, the ancient Greeks. The idealized portrait of Cyrus by the Greek Xenophon had a profound impact on ancient, medieval, and early modern debates about rulership.
King of the World provides an authoritative and accessible account of Cyrus the Great's life, career, and legacy. While Greek sources remain central to any narrative about Cyrus, a wealth of primary evidence is found in the ancient Near East, including documentary, archaeological, art historical, and biblical material. Matt Waters draws from all of these sources while consistently contextualizing them in order to provide a cohesive understanding of Cyrus the Great. This overview addresses issues of interpretation and reconciles limited material, while the narrative keeps Cyrus the Great's compelling career at the forefront. Cyrus' legacy is enormous and not fully appreciated King of the World takes readers on a journey that reveals his powerful impact and preserves his story for future generations.
