Cyrus The Great
Born 600 BCE in Anshan, Persia.
Died 4 December 530 BCE.
Crowned in 559 BCE, Anshan Persia. At age 41.
Cyrus The Great was an ancient king and establisher of the Achaemenid Empire, he is even mentioned in the Holy Bible. There are many unknowns regarding his early life. Only Herodotus has some writings regarding the early life of this king, but this is seen by most historians as mythology.
Cyrus was born in the city-state, Anshan, -present day Southern Iran- to Cambyses I and Mandane. Cambyses was the ruler of Anshan, but as a vassal of the father of Mandane, Astyages. At this time, the Middle East was divided into a few civilizations. Astyages was the ruler of most of the Middle East. Astyages ruled the Median Empire and the Parthians and Persians. Other civilizations in the Middle East were Babylonia and Lydia, present day Iraq/Syria and Turkey.
Cyrus had a wife named Cassandane. She was an Achaemenian and daughter of Pharnaspes.
From this marriage, Cyrus had four children: Prince Cambyses II, Prince Bardiya or Smerdis, Princess Atossa and Princess Artystone.
A few years after Cyrus was crowned king of Anshan, Astyages, the king of the Medes attacked Cyrus, his own grandson. The general Harpagus was chosen to lead the attack against Cyrus, but Harpagus informed Cyrus of this and encouraged his revolt. Not long after, Harpagus defects with a portion of the army of the Medes to Cyrus’ side. The hostilities lasted for about three years, after which Cyrus conquered Ecbatana, the capital of the Median Empire. Cyrus chose to spare his grandfather’s life and married his daughter, Amytis. By doing so, Cyrus became the king of the Medes, Persians and Parthians.
Another three years later, in about the year 547 BCE, the Lydian king Croesus, who ruled what is now known as Western Turkey, attacked a city of the Achaemenid Empire and conquered it. Cyrus The Great went to war and eventually conquered the capital of the Lydian Empire, Sardis. He did this by following the advice of his general Harpagus, who suggested to place the dromedaries in front of the battle lines. By doing this, the enemy cavalry routed, because the Lydian horses got petrified by these dromedaries. It took another 5 years for the generals of Cyrus to conquer the entirety of Asia Minor. A technique perfected by Harpagus, to conquer enemy cities, was to build tunnels under besieged city walls and collapsing them.
The climax of the rule of Cyrus the Great came in the year 539 BCE, when he conquered Babylonia. This is also recorded in the Bible, because after conquering Babylon (the capital of Babylonia), he released all the slaves including the people from Judea. He ordered the rebuilding of all temples, including Solomon’s Temple.
The life of Cyrus the Great comes to an end, when he goes to war with the Massagetae of Tomyris’ army near the Iaxartes, once again after being attacked first. The Massagetae were an Iranian people, similar to the Scythians. These were nomadic tribes who lived on the steppe regions of modern day Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.
Chapter 1: A Child Is Born
It’s the year 600 BCE.
Cyrus was born to Cambyses I and Mandane, daughter of Astyages, king of the Medes.
Astyages had a dream, that his daughter will give birth to a son who will seize the throne.
Astyages called for his general Harpagus to kill the child.
Instead Harpagus brought the child to be raised by a shepherd.
At age 10, Cyrus was found to be the son of Cambyses and heir to the throne.
After having found Cyrus and having him brought to his court, Astyages had the son of Harpagus killed and prepared in a cannibal meal, which was served to Harpagus.
Harpagus ate his own son, but was permitted to bury the remains: the head, feet and legs were buried.
Astyages is king of Media, his family rules the Medes, Persians and Parthian people. These 3 kingdoms are the centre of the ancient Middle East, along with Babylonia.
Astyages is sleeping. He dreams of his daughter, he sees a baby and a ram. He sees his throne burning. He sees a man made of fire building a stone wall between order and chaos. The chaos is displayed by “Gog and Magog”. Hordes of half man half horse creatures are behind this stone wall built by this man of fire. In his dream he kneels in front of this man of fire who approaches him in this dream.
As soon as he wakes up he gets the message that his daughter has given birth to a boy named Cyrus. As soon as he hears this he calls for Harpagus, his faithful general.
Astyages
Harpagus, I want you to kill the new-born son of my daughter
He is a threat to me
I want nobody to know of this
We will blame the servants
We will say he died during bathing
Harpagus
Yes sire,
It will be done
I will drown him myself
It will look like he died during bathing
We will blame the servants
But sire
His life will have few days
He is less than 1 day old
Even though, I will bury his body
You are my king
Harpagus is one of the most faithful generals of Astyages and he rules a large portion of the army. But because he himself has a son, he decides not to do as he said and spare the new-born prince. He takes the baby to a shepherd where there he is raised until he reaches the teen age. Harpagus visited the child many times and he gave the shepherd a lot of good credit with him. The days passed for the shepherd and the child. But the child was told, that his father was the king. During a game he challenged another child and the shepherd had to explain to a the town that indeed this child was the son of the king of Persia. The child was sent to Astyages who confirmed that indeed this was his grandchild, the one he had ordered to be killed years before. Astyages orders to kill the son of Harpagus, and feed it to him during a dinner.
And so the story continues.
During the 7th bath of the new-born prince, Harpagus had commanded that the child had to be washed by a Zoroastrian priest. Instead of washing the child or killing him, they put him in a wagon and sent him to a far region. Harpagus personally escorts the child to a safe haven. Harpagus takes the child to a shepherd in Media named Mithradates.
Harpagus
Mithradates,
I trust you because I believe in your magic
You chose to be a shepherd
But your fire you have forever
This child is a prince
His blood is royal
I cannot take his life
I know that your wife gave birth to a stillborn
I wish to take this stillborn to show the evil king who reigns
Mithradates
Harpagus, you are my lord
You can trust me with this task
My wife her heart is broken of our failure to create life
Now God brought me a son
I will raise him as my own
Harpagus puts the child inside the house where the wife of Mithradates is waiting. The cradle is placed near the fire. Chapter 2: King of the hill
It’s the year 590 BCE.
And so the story continues. The child grows up. The shepherd is a devout Zoroastrian who worships God alone. Harpagus visits as often as he can. The relationship between Harpagus and Cyrus at a young age are unknown, but one can claim that Harpagus dearly loved the young prince. Because Mithradates did a favour for the great general, he was granted much respect. So this home was provided for in plenty.
And so the days went by. What is known is that Cyrus never was told other than that Mithradates was his father and his wife his mother. On the 10th birthday of Cyrus, Harpagus came by with gifts including jewels. Harpagus asked the shepherd if it was possible to take the boy out for a ride. The boy rides his horse and in front goes Harpagus on a beautiful GOLDEN Nisean horse. The sun is shining, the two ride to a nearby river the Euphrates. Harpagus gets off the horse and so does Cyrus.
Harpagus starts the conversation:
Harpagus
Young Cyrus,
Do you know why I come to visit you?
God knows that it is indeed your birthday
How old are you now?
Cyrus
I am 10 and you always come to visit me
You are a general right?
What does war mean?
Harpagus
War is where men die
Cyrus
My father told me,
That once, I almost died?
And that you saved my life
Harpagus
One day this will be your land
I payed for all of it
From where this river stretches to the desert
I bought it with gold I earned from war
Cyrus
So what you are saying is,
You killed people for gold
And you bought all this land
And my father said that this land is his
Why is this not your land?
Where do you live
Harpagus
On this day you are quite young to comprehend
What this land means,
I have a son, he is of your age
What I do, I do for my kings
There was one day,
Where your father was not your father
And your mother, was not your mother
And you had no name,
When your father could not safe your life
He named you Cyrus
After your grandfather, who was king of Anshan
I bring you a gift,
This horse was raised for a prince
And you, young Cyrus
You are a prince
But above that all you are star
And whenever somebody tells you otherwise,
Bring them to me,
I will show them justice
Cyrus
What is a prince
Long pause
Harpagus
A prince is royal
His blood is sacred
Cyrus
My mother calls me prince charming
She says that one day I will marry a princess
This is a beautiful horse,
I will name it Sophia
That’s Greek,
It means wisdom you know
Harpagus
Haha
Young prince,
You know a lot
But you have to make me a promise
In fact it’s a creed
Nobody can know what I just told you
This is for you to grow
You are smart
And above all,
It is your birthday
Cyrus
My father prepared a feast,
Poor little lambs
They graze here on these pastures
I watch over them sometimes
But I am a big boy,
I can watch when they get killed
I understand that the lamb is sacred
I need a favour of you
And if you do this favour,
I will promise you my creed
Harpagus
Anything for you, young Cyrus
What do you need of me?
Cyrus
There is this boy
His father is a noble
He told me that I am not prince charming
He said,
My father is a shepherd,
Which means he is a peasant
And that he has pity for me
And what is worse is
He forced me to race his horse
Cyrus
And I lost
And then he took my ring
It was my favourite ring
It was gold
It was the only gold I had
Can you help me with this?
Harpagus
Anything for you my prince
Who is this boy?
How old is he
Cyrus
He is pure evil
I wish I could put a spell on him
He is older than me
Maybe 2 years older
And he wears this rings everyday
My father was so mad at me
Harpagus
I will get it done
So Harpagus ordered his bodyguards to go take the ring back. While taking the ring back, an altercation occurred between the bodyguards of Harpagus and the father of the boy. Which resulted in the nobleman to seeking justice with the king, Astyages. Since Astyages ruled the Median empire, the matter was brought to him in his court. He is seated on his golden throne.
Messenger
My lord,
A nobleman in Assyria is seeking justice for his son
Apparently the bodyguards of Harpagus
Entered their home and took a golden ring
In the altercation
The nobleman was beaten and a boy named Cyrus beat up his son
Astyages
Harpagus his bodyguards?
What is Harpagus doing in Assyria?
And who is this boy named Cyrus?
Messenger
My lord,
Harpagus often visits this boy’s father
Who is a shepherd named,
Mithradates
Astyages
How old is?
Messenger
He is 10 years old, my lord
Astyages
10 years old, you say
Bring this boy to me
Mithradates and Cyrus are brought to Astyages. They arrive at the castle in Ecbatana. The coloured walls decorate the scenery as they approach and enter the hall of the king. They bring with them a lot of cattle, sheep and cows.
Royal Guard
My lord,
Mithradates and young Cyrus come to your court
Astyages
I have heard you are already quite a formidable fighter
Young Cyrus
I have known your father for many years
He brought me plenty of supplies for my troops
O Mithradates,
What is your relationship with Harpagus?
Mithradates
My lord
We are friends
He is my brother
Astyages
Is it so that this child was brought to you,
And not delivered from God to your wife’s womb?
Because, how else would he have that ring
That ring is from Anshan,
And you must have stolen it
But if so,
And you tell me a lie,
I will first ask your son
Young man,
Who is your father?
Cyrus
My father,
This is my father
Astyages
When was your son born, Mithradates?
Mithradates
My lord,
He was born on a fury day
He is your grandson
My king
He was not born to live on a farm
This is his home
He is the son of Cambyses and your daughter
Astyages
I am delighted to meet you young prince
You know, I was there the day you were born
I had a dream about you
You will go to Anshan,
Where your parents awaits you
Cyrus
Then this means,
It is true what Harpagus said
And I am a prince,
And my father was not my father
And my mother was not my mother
Astyages
Tell me,
What did Harpagus tell you
Cyrus
He said that he has a son of my age
And that he loves me because he loves his son
Astyages
I heard enough,
You must have had a long journey,
Rest now,
You will be provided for
And for you,
Mithradates,
I thank you for all the fat cattle you brought
I hear,
Your lambs taste delicious
Rest now,
This case is closed
After Cyrus and Mithradates leave the thrown hall.
Astyages
I want the butcher to visit Harpagus his son,
I want him killed,
I want him cooked
I want him boiled
I want to see him eat his son
And so said, so it was done.
The son of Harpagus was murdered and sacrificed for a meal. Harpagus was invited to eat with the king. The king had already eaten and was full and drunk as Harpagus enters the banquet hall. Harpagus takes a seat, even though he is on time, he sees the king is drunk.
Astyages
O Harpagus,
My trusted general,
How do they call your troops again,
The immortals
Haha,
The immortals,
The lambs are fat for the taking
Eat!
Harpagus eats the food that is presented. After he ate, the servants bring in the head, the hands and feet of Harpagus his son. Obviously he was shocked to see his sons head and remains. He asks if he may bury his son and he does. After he leaves the king sends in his Magi priests.
Astyages
Tell me.
Is he a treat to me?
Magi
My lord,
The prophecy has been fulfilled
He has become a king
You cannot touch him
Astyages
So you say,
King of the hill?
Send word for my daughter and Cambyses in Anshan,
Invite them immediately
Let the boy meet his mother,
Bring me more wine,
More wine.
Cyrus wakes up in the court of Astyages in Ecbatana. When he wakes up, he finds that Mithradates has left and the only thing he had left was a little puppy. Before Mithradates left, on the night of the gore feast, Mithradates had spoken with Harpagus and he had promised to be honest to Astyages, just so that Cyrus would become a prince that he always was.
Cyrus wakes up and receives word that Mithradates has left and that he left a little puppy.
Cyrus takes the dog outside, where, Cambyses, Mandane, Astyages and few others are eating breakfast. Astyages calls Cyrus to himself to introduce him to his daughter, Mandane, who is the mother of Cyrus and Cambyses who is Cyrus’ father.
Cyrus
So, my father was not my father
And I’m about to meet my real parents
O little puppy,
You are missing your parents as well I think
But I am a big boy
And I am a prince
What shall I name you?
Cyrus and the dog walk inside the castle towards the courtyard.
When outside, they find Astyages and the real parents of Cyrus.
Cambyses and Mandane run towards Cyrus, crying tears of joy.
Mandane
I thought you drowned
They told me
The servants of the priest (cry)
Drowned you during bath
We punished the priests
All of them
Papa went ahead and even changed the master magi
Cambyses
I remember
This is our little boy
Now you are so big (cry)
I still remember holding you in my hands
Hugs
Group hugs
Astyages walks towards the happy family and interrupts.
Astyages
Tears of sadness,
Tears of joy
Ah would you look at that
A happy little family
Now,
I don’t know about you (looks at Cyrus)
But I am starving
I could eat a horse
Or a rabbit
Have you ever eaten rabbit?
Cyrus (walks with Astyages towards the table)
No
Astyages takes Cyrus to the head of the table.
Astyages
Come,
You can sit at the head of the table
You are a real prince
“Charming”
Was it?
Cyrus sits at the head of the table.
Everybody joins and they eat. Cyrus also feeds the puppy and Astyages as well, they joke around. The puppy runs away. Cyrus excuses himself and asks if he can see the castle with his father and mother. The group walks away. But before leaving, Cyrus and Astyages say their goodbyes,
Mandane
Papa
We will leave at once
I want to cherish every moment with my son
I am so happy that you found him (cry)
Cambyses hugs his wife and put his arm on Cyrus’ shoulder.
Cambyses
Yes your majesty
You have made us happy
Astyages
Which means you are leaving
Young Cyrus
I will definitely see you again
But next time,
In Anshan
Its quiet beautiful there
Much different from that farm where you came from
Mandane cries. And they leave.
The journey from Ecbatana to Anshan takes a few days, traveling on the royal road.
Eventually they arrive and Cyrus gets to see the castle of his father, grandfather and so on.
Everybody at Anshan knows of young Cyrus’ arrival. There is a welcoming party, the flags are waving. The royal family arrives at their native home, the vassal city of Anshan, belonging to the Persian people. Astyages was the supreme overlord after he had conquered almost all of the Assyrian nations, except Babylon. But still at Anshan, they had some freedom to rule. But still most taxes went to Astyages in Ecbatana.
After washing and eating, Cyrus gets his own chambers and even his puppy is accommodated.
While the door is open, he hears his new mother and father talking to Mithradates and his wife. Cyrus overhears the confession coming from Mithradates, who had raised him as his own. Cyrus interrupts after he hears the story and starts to cry. But Mithradates tells him not to cry, they hug and Mithradates says his goodbyes. He makes Cyrus promise to take care of the puppy and to come visit when he is grown. The night falls and Cyrus lies in bed with his puppy. Mandane enters his chambers.
Mandane
Can I enter?
Cyrus
You have a lovely home
Is this really my room?
Mandane
Yes of course
This is in fact your castle
Every stone belongs to you
Every servant you command
Every soldier would give his life for you
I am so glad to see how beautiful and intelligent you are
Cyrus
If I understand,
You are my mother
You carried me in your belly
Mandane
(cry)
Yes
She sits on his bed, with Cyrus and the puppy. Cambyses knocks on the door.
Mandane
Do you feel like going for a walk around the castle walls?
Cyrus
Can I bring my puppy
Cambyses starts to laugh and Mandane wipes her tears. Cyrus gets off the bed and the puppy climbs down the built stairs specially designed for him. They walk outside and to the castle walls. They walk around the walls and talk:
Cyrus
All these lights
Its always so dark where I come from
Only the fire that my father
I mean
Mithradates makes
And the stars
Are these the same stars?
Mandane
There are many stars
One day you can learn about them
Every single star has his own name
Your name is one of those stars, young Cyrus
Cyrus
Harpagus told me that my grandfather was named Cyrus
Cambyses
What else did Harpagus tell you?
Cyrus
Well,
He told me that you could not safe my life
I did not know about the drowning though
But if I did not drown,
Who did?
Cambyses
Yes, who did
I hope we will find the answers to all your questions
But not right now,
Since the hour is late
You need to get ready for bed
And since its your first night in Anshan
Me and your mother will get you ready for bed
Mandane addresses a servant
Ready his bath
I want to wash him myself
Never will I let you out of my sight, my son
The three and the puppy enter the castle and head towards Cyrus his bedroom, where the servants have prepared a bath for him.
After the bath Cyrus puts on his royal robe and crawls into bed, while Mandane and Cambyses are watching him.
Cyrus
Cambyses,
Father I mean,
Do you know any good bedtime stories?
My father, I mean,
Mithradates always used to tell me bedtime stories
Cambyses
Yes I do,
My father, Cyrus of Anshan, used to tell me this story
Once upon a time there was a horse
A horse so beautiful,
It was the master of all the horses
While Mandane is cuddling with Cyrus in bed, Cambyses tells the story about the master of all the horses. When day breaks, Mandane is still in bed with Cyrus and Cambyses is sleeping on the sofa. The puppy starts to bark and wakes everybody up. The puppy pees in the room.
Cyrus
Ooh puppy
You woke me up
Did you pee in my room
But hold, it was not a dream
I am a real prince
And this is my castle
Woohoo
Mandane wakes up and so does Cambyses, as Cyrus is trying to clean up after the puppy, in walk the servants who stop Cyrus in his actions.
Servant
Master Cyrus
It is not your duty to clean up after your puppy
The servant gets on his knees to be eye to eye with Cyrus.
Servant
Give that to me,
I will have your room cleaned
Cambyses
Yes my son,
You are no longer in Mithradates his company
Here a prince has servants
Servants to clean up your puppies pee (laughs)
Mandane
Laughs
Cambyses
I think your puppy needs to go for a walk
Have my son ready for breakfast
But first take this dog for a walk, will you
Mandane and Cambyses exit Cyrus’ room to go get ready for breakfast.
The servants bring water so that Cyrus can wash his face and hands and they also clean up after the dog. Another servant wants to take the dog for a walk when young prince Cyrus interrupts him.
Cyrus
Wait,
Don’t take my dog without me
He’ll be lonely without me
And I will be lonely without him
Servant what is your name?
Servant
My name, your highness,
Adarnases,
At your service
Cyrus
Okay,
Adarnases (laughs)
I want to take my puppy for a walk myself
Adarnases
I was ordered to prepare you for breakfast, my lord
Cyrus
I order you otherwise
Adarnases
As you please,
We can go for a walk,
If that pleases you
Cyrus
I cant believe that worked
Adarnases,
That does please me
Cyrus and his puppy and the servant named Adarnases go for a walk. Cyrus gets to see the royal horses. After the walk, Adarnases walks young Cyrus towards the royal hall where Cambyses and Mandane are having breakfast.
Cambyses
My boy,
I am glad that you are finally joining us
Mandane
What took you so long
Adarneses,
Did I not ask you to get him ready for breakfast
Cyrus
I ordered him otherwise
Cambyses
Laughs
I told you he would get the hang of it
Now come sit down,
And can somebody bring something for the dog to eat
Cyrus
Father,
Adarnases showed me all of the royal horses you got
Cambyses
Ah,
The royal horses
After breakfast we can go for a ride if you please
Of course,
That is if your mother approves
Mandane
Yes,
But first have something to eat,
These grapes are from the slopes around the castle
They are the finest in all of the land
Cyrus
Yes,
My lord, my lady
I am quite hungry
And since my dog is eating,
I will eat
Cyrus digs into the royal buffet. The table is filled with fruits and bread and milk and everything you could imagine. After Cyrus is full, Mandane wishes to talk to her son.
Mandane
My son,
We spoke to the people who raised you
Cyrus
You mean
Mithradates and my mom
Mandane
Yes,
Well, no
I am your mother,
I carried you in my belly
But,
You are right,
We spoke about them moving closer,
So that occasionally you can spend some time with them,
But only inside the castle walls
Cyrus
That makes me happy,
Because I hardly know you people,
And I need some adjusting
Cambyses
Laughs
Yes, it does require some adjusting
For all of us
Let us toast to our son who came back to us
To Cyrus
Mandane
To Cyrus
Cyrus
What about Harpagus
Will he come to visit me on my birthday
Cambyses
I do not believe he will be allowed to do so
And besides Harpagus is mourning
Cyrus
Mourning?
Did somebody die?
Mandane
Yes
But that is not a matter for the moment
Have you given your puppy a name?
Cyrus
Well, I thought about it
And I asked him about it
Cambyses
Laughs
And what did the dog tell you
Cyrus
Not much, he knows only to bark
Mandane
What about King?
Cyrus
King?
Cambyses
King!!
Cyrus
I guess that’s a good name for a dog
Don’t you agree Adarnases
Adarnases
Yes my lord,
King is an excellent name
Cambyses
Adarnases
Have my horse ready
And select a few horses so my son can choose his own horse
Cyrus
But father,
I have a horse already
Sophia
Harpagus brought it for my 10th birthday
Cambyses
Ah yes,
Harpagus already brought you a fine horse
Cambyses looks at Mandane.
Mandane
Did Harpagus visit you often?
Cyrus
Yes mam,
Every year,
On my birthday
Mandane
Cambyses,
I think its best for you to speak to Harpagus
Cambyses
And so I will,
I have some questions for him
But that is for later concerns
For now,
We are going for a ride
Will you join us, my dear
Mandane
Not for the moment
I will retreat to my chambers,
I am still tired from your bedtime story
Cyrus
Laughs
Cambyses
Was my story not good
Mandane
It sure did put me to sleep
Cyrus
Laughs
Cambyses
Laughs
Are you ready my boy?
I’ll have Adarnases prepare your horse, Sophia, for a ride
Cyrus
Yes father
Cambyses takes young Cyrus his hand and the couple followed by the dog follow Adarnases towards the royal stables. There, Sophia, the horse of Cyrus is ready to be ridden.
Chapter ?: The Dream
Its the year 553 BCE.
The Persian king Cyrus of Anshan is sleeping in his bed, in his palace in Anshan, Persia.
The Farvahar is swinging from the ceiling and its moving the air, you can hear it wave.
The king is having a nightmare.
The king sees war, he sees himself riding a black horse to battle, he sees a farvahar. You can hear a voice but its only making sounds, like the wind. You can see a great city, with a great palace, bathing in the sun.
The king sees a lion and then he suddenly wakes up.
Its very quiet in the bedroom, he is in bed with one of his wifes.
She wakes up.
Wife
You had another dream?
Cyrus
I am fine, go back to sleep
Wife
Yes sire
The king lays on his side with his back towards his wife.
The camera zooms in on his face, he closes his eyes.
You can hear the footsteps of a horse running.
The next morning, the king is riding a black horse inside the palace walls, his advisors and servants are watching him ride.
Cyrus
Haha, this horse is faster than lightning, just like in my dream
Advisor
Sire, did you have another dream?
Cyrus
Yes, this one was more violent
Advisor
You hate violence
And you are a benign king
Cyrus gets off the horse and a servant takes the horse away.
Cyrus
I might be a benign king, but I feel a war coming.
Advisor
With who?
Astyages is your grandfather and the Parthians seek no war
Cyrus
I don’t know, but we must be vigilant.
In walks his son, Cambyses II, who is of adult age.
Cambyses
Father, good morning
What a beautiful horse you was riding
Cyrus
Its a warhorse
And yes, its a wonderful creature
Cambyses
War?
Father, do you feel like going for a ride
Cyrus
No, I must do something first
Maybe later
Cambyses
Alright
Cyrus and his advisor and his servants walk by.
Cyrus goes to the priests and to the Zoroastrian temple.
A fire is burning and lighting the temple, the sun is shining through the windows.
Cyrus falls to his knees and he prays.
Cyrus (praying)
Father, forgive me
Bless me in my ways
As Cyrus is praying he sees the same flashes as in his dream, he feels there is a war coming.
He walks outside the temple, he walks towards a pot with water and he washes his hands.
An advisor gives him a towl to dry his hands.
The king faces his advisor and says:
Cyrus
I want you to gather the generals
Advisor
Yes sire
The generals are waiting for the king inside the palace.
The king walks in the room and everybody rises. The servants are lined up against the wall.
Cyrus
Sit down
I first want to thank you for coming.
Persia is at peace, but who knows for how long
I want my army to be ready
The generals all stomp on the table.
The next scene, Cyrus is outside, seated and he is watching his best soldiers display their powers.
Cyrus points towards a soldier
Advisor
You!
Soldier runs towards the kings throne, Cyrus reaches out and the soldier gives the king his sword.
The king inspects the sword, looking at it, amazed by its powers and maybe even scared.
The next scene the king is seen riding his black horse together with his son, Cambyses. They are racing around. The palace and the walls are on the background, as are mountains.
The kings horse sprints forward, causing the dust to rise and creating a sort of sandstorm. His son follows.
Chapter 3: War is coming
Its the year 553 BCE.
Astyages, king of the Medes
Harpagus!
I want you to bring me his head
The Median king, orders the attack on Cyrus of Persia, his grandson.
Harpagus
As you please sire
Harpagus kneels infront of his king, he looks down, and then he stands up and walks towards the exit.
What Astyages does not know is that Harpagus is loyal to Cyrus, being his dear friend.
Harpagus rides to Anshan with his bodyguards, known as the Immortals, or the army of 10 thousand soldiers.
He enters the castle walls with his escort, he steps off his horse, and an escort takes the rein.
He takes his helmet off and carries it under his arm.
He enters the hall room of the king, where Cyrus is seated on his throne, eating grapes.
Cyrus
My dear friend Harpagus,
It has been too long.
What brings you to Anshan?
Harpagus takes a knee and bows his head.
Harpagus
My lord,
I have urgent news
Astyages is riding out against you, as we speak
Cyrus stands up.
Cyrus
I knew it
Then I will meet him in battle
Harpagus, tell me, how many soldiers do you bring with you?
Harpagus
I bring you the Immortals, my lord
The army of 10 thousand soldiers!
The next scene Harpagus is seen riding with king Cyrus, the king is riding his black warhorse. His son rides behind him.
Its the year 550 BCE.
The army of 10 thousand soldiers rides out, accompanied by the Royal soldiers of Persia.
The king is on higher ground, together with Harpagus and his son, Cambyses, overlooking the battle field.
The king orders to attack.
The horns of war blow.
The horses start running, the horse-archers run their horses in a circle, shooting their arrows at the enemy.
The arrows fly across the sky and hit the Median soldiers.
The city of Ecbatana is on the background, behind the Median soldiers.
The Median king being to old for battle is waiting behind his army, near the city walls.
The Persian king takes the rein and joins the battle, he orders his son to stay there.
Cyrus
Cambyses, you stay here
Cambyses
But father...
Cyrus
No!
We ride to war
HASPARGUS!
The king races towards the enemy.
As he approaches, arrows come flying towards them.
Cyrus, holding his sword in his right hand, stops an arrow from hitting him with his sword.
Cyrus fights his way towards the Median king, who flees inside the city walls. Cyrus retreats behind his army.
Cyrus
REGROUP!
Yet again, the horn sounds.
Cyrus joins his son, at the back of the lines, Harpagus also joins them.
Harpagus
Sire, they have retreated behind the walls,
What should we do?
Cyrus
A siege could take months
We need to take down their walls
I don’t care how you do it
GET IT DONE!
Harpagus
Yes sire
Night falls, Cyrus is in his royal tenth, as Harpagus enters with a soldier.
Harpagus
Sire, good news
This soldiers has found the way
Soldier
Sire, we need to dig under their walls
Their walls will fall if we did that
Cyrus
Get it done
In the darkness, not far from the city walls, a group of soldiers starts digging a tunnel.
They dig their tunnel right under the wall, create a fire under the wall, causing the wall to sap.
After the wall breaches, Cyrus rides his horse inside the city. His forces have surrounded the royal palace and Astyages is arrested.
Cyrus orders not to kill the Median king, but to spare his life, so that he can marry his daughter, creating a peace and creating the first Persian Empire.
Astyages
I am an old man,
I surrender to you Cyrus,
Spare my life
Cyrus
My lord, you sought war with me
But I will spare your life,
I will marry your daughter,
I will bring peace
Astyages
As you please my lord
Astyages, being an old man kneels in front of Cyrus. Even though he wanted his crown, Cyrus was his grandson after all.
Cyrus becomes the king of the entire Median Empire, which spans over modern day Turkey, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Turkmenistan.
Chapter 4: King of Lydia
Its the year 547 BCE.
The Lydian king Croesus attacks the Persian city of Pteria in Cappadocia, modern day Turkey. After besieging the city, it was captured an the inhabitants were enslaved.
The Persian king Cyrus sends his messenger to Ionia, asking it to revolt against its king, Croesus. The Ionians declined, and so Cyrus prepared for war against Lydia.
Every city he went he gathered a thousand soldiers, creating a massive army, marching against Lydia.
The Battle of Pteria was a stalemate, with both sides suffering heavy casualties by nightfall. Croesus retreated to Sardis the following morning.
While in Sardis, Croesus sent out requests for his allies to send troops to Lydia. However, near the end of the winter, before the allies could unite, Cyrus the Great pushed the war into Lydian territory and besieged Croesus in his capital, Sardis. Shortly before the final Battle of Thymbra between the two rulers, Harpagus advised Cyrus the Great to place his dromedaries in front of his warriors; the Lydian horses, not used to the dromedaries' smell would be very afraid. The strategy worked, the Lydian cavalry was routed.
Cyrus defeated and captured Croesus. Cyrus occupied the capital, Sardis, conquering the Lydian kingdom in 546 BCE.
According to Herodotus, Cyrus the Great spared Croesus's life and kept him as an advisor, but this account conflicts with some translations of the contemporary Nabonidus Chronicle (the King who was himself subdued by Cyrus the Great after conquest of Babylonia), which interpret that the king of Lydia was slain.
A message from Cyrus
Cyrus The Great is now king of the mighty Persian Empire. The city of Pteria has been besieged and conquered by Croesus of Ionia. Cyrus gets the news while he is seated on his throne.
Cyrus The Great
This is outrageous!
Once more, we are at war!
Gather the generals!
Advisor who is standing next to the throne replies
Advisor
Yes my lord, I will gather the generals
The generals are in the war office, seated at the round table.
Harpagus
My lord, if I may
Cyrus
Speak
Harpagus
My lord, we need to take the fight to Croesus
We need to conquer Sardis
My lord, if I may
You are a wealthy king
We need to hire many more soldiers
Because Croesus has a large mercenary army
Cyrus
Mercenaries?
The king laughs
Cyrus
You mean the Greeks
Yes, maybe
We need to take back Pteria
We are at war gentleman
The generals stomp on the table.
Cyrus arrives near the city of Pteria, on the background the city is still smouldering, smoke rising from the city.
Cyrus has Harpagus with him with the Immortals.
The walls are still breached so that is not an issue.
Cyrus sends his troops to conquer the walls.
The horn is blown, the infranty is called forward.
The horse archers start running in circles shooting their arrows at the enemy on the walls and over.
Croesus is inside the walls. He orders the siege towers to fire on the approaching infantry and to aim at the breach in the walls.
The catapults and siege towers fire their weapons.
As the Persian army is rushing to conquer the walls, they are fired at from many directions.
Croesus understands that Cyrus will take back the city at any cost, so he decides to retreat. He rushes out the other gate before the Persians reach himm, but he leaves a large army, mostly mercenaries who were offered the city in return of their sword for hire.
Cyrus eventually conquers the city, having faced a large army.
Eventually Cyrus is victorious, he heads west to meet Croesus in battle.
Croesus retreats to Troy.
Cyrus retreats to his chamber.
He calls for his messenger.
Cyrus
We need to send a message to Ionia
We could use their support
Tell them,
I, Cyrus of Persia, come in peace
Rise against the evil king
Messenger
Yes my lord
The messenger leaves the tent.
The messenger and his 2 escorts are sent to Ionia.
They travel from Pteria to Ionia by horse.
They arrive in Ionia and deliver the message to the counsel.
The offer of Cyrus is rejected and the messengers head back to Cyrus.
The messengers arive in Pteria and they deliver their message to the king.
Cyrus is walking with Haspagus.
Haspagus
My lord,
We will go to battle
Cyrus
Yes
Haspagus
My lord,
We have a lot of dromedaries
We should place them infront of the warriors to scare their horses
They will be patrified
Cyrus
Patrified?
Get it done!
Haspagus
Yes my lord
Cyrus leaves the city of Pteria and heads into Lydia, modern day Western Turkey.
He enters 20 cities and raises an army of 20 thousand mercenary soldiers.
He heads for Troy.
He faces the remainders of the Lydian mercenary army near Troy.
December 547 BCE.
Cyrus attacks with his flanks, consisting of chariots, cavalry and a new camel cavalry. The camels were literaly taken from the baggage train. And behind it his Immortals.
His forward units were also camels, enforced by Immortals and infantry.
What is known is that Croesus outnumbered Cyrus by 2 to 1, which could be between 50 thousand and 400 thousand soldiers.
The Lydian cavalry was taken by surprise and Croesus defences fell in its wings. As the wings fell back, the Immortals quickly laid waste to the enemy. First defeating the cavalry and then the rest.
Croesus retreats and Cyrus does not pursue him.
Cyrus reaches the city of Sardis and lays siege to it for 14 days.
Croesus had sent a message to his allies from Babylon, Egypt and Arabia and some citystates of Greece to come help him defeat Cyrus. But they never came, aside some mercenaries.
Cyrus conquers Lydia after the 14 day siege and Croesus surrenders. He spares Croesus life, conquering the Lydian kingdom in 546 BCE.
According to Herodotus, Cyrus the Great spared Croesus's life and kept him as an advisor, until he conquered Babylon in 539 BCE, because Croesus stole gold and raised a mercenary army.
"The King who was himself subdued by Cyrus the Great after conquest of Babylonia".
Chapter 5: Pasargadae
c. 546 BCE
Cyrus the Great begins construction of Pasargadae.
Cyrus had a wife named Cassandane.
She was an Achaemenian and daughter of Pharnaspes.
From this marriage, Cyrus had four children: Prince Cambyses II, Prince Bardiya or Smerdis, Princess Atossa and Princess Artystone.
Cyrus oversees the finishing of his palace in Pasargadae.
Eventho Cyrus had many wifes, he always met new women to call wife and he had many children. Cyrus goes to the harem, being the chamber of all his wifes, who have traveled with him.
He picks a wife who walks with the king to the bedroom.
They sleep together.
The next day the king is inspired, he calls his generals together.
He has a plan to expand the empire to the east. The former king of Lydia had an immense fortune, which Cyrus ordered to be sent to Pasargadae by Pactyas.
Pactyas stole the money and raised a mercenary army against Cyrus. Cyrus sent his general Mazares to stop the revolt, but Mazares died in Ionia. So Cyrus sent Harpagus to end the revolt. He conquered, using the technique of sapping the walls, Harpagus was victorious in many cities and he returned to Persia in 542 BCE.
544 BCE
Foundation of Cyropolis on the Iaxartes river, modern city of Khujand in northern Tajikistan, marking the northern border of Persia.
Cyrus oversees the newly found city.
Chapter 6: The Susa Diamond
540 BCE
Cyrus captured Elam and its capital, Susa, expanding to the west.
The Susa Diamond
The Elam people were one of the first real civilizations on Earth. More than 6 thousand years ago, the city of Susa was founded.
The Elam people where related to the Persians and Medes, but lived under the same feudal rule under Cyrus his grandfather, Astyages. When Astyages was dethroned and Cyrus became king, the Babylonias sought for Susa. Thats why they supported the Lydian king against Cyrus. The Elam people were very influential and had their own language, which was an official language in the Persian Empire.
Cyrus wanted to be king of Susa, with its rich culture and long history. Cyrus wanted the Susa diamond.
The Susa diamond was a very large diamond and Cyrus had seen it when he was a child. Now years after, he was king of mighty Persia and all that stood between him and Babylon was Susa.
Winter 540 BCE
Cyrus is in his chambers, he is thinking of a way to conquer Babylon. He thinks that he can buy the Babylonian generals with the Susa diamond.
The next day, he leaves his tent for battle, its snowing.
A soldier brings him his white horse, Cyrus takes the reign.
The general Gobryas approaches the king on a horse.
Gobryas
Good morning my lord
Cyrus
Its a beautiful day
It goes to show
Its never to early to conquer
Gobryas
Yes my lord
Cyrus and Gobryas ride their horses to battle.
They ride for Susa.
Cyrus had sent a message to Susa, saying that Persia was going to conquer Babylon. Since Elam was close to Babylon, their politics were about peace with the Babylonian king Nabodinus. So even he got the message.
Cyrus expected this betrayel and decided to conquer Susa.
His army was very powerful and highly trained, most soldiers stayed loyal till their death, even the mercenaries. Having seen plenty of combat, Cyrus was a great king.
He chose 1 thousand elite soldiers, chosen from his ranks, to become so called “Assassins”.
These assassins were trained to climb enemy walls and conquer them and open the gate for Cyrus to enter.
His army approached Susa and his siege towers fired at the enemy wall. Once the enemy was occupied, the assassins moved in and conquered the walls, opening the gate.
Cyrus commands to take the city.
The horn blown.
The army enters the gates without much resistance and Cyrus rushes in to secure the diamond.
His assassins make their way inside the walls and secure the diamond.
The diamond is said to have mystical powers, even immortality.
Chapter 7: The conquest of Babylon
539 BCE
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon; the Fertile Crescent is controlled by the Achaemenid Empire.
Cyrus moved into Babylonia and fought the Battle of Opis near the strategic riverside city of Opis on the Tigris, north of Babylon.
The Babylonian army was routed and Cyrus conquered Babylon without any resistance.
The First Persian Empire.
Return of the Jews.
The Cyrus Cylinder:
Lines 1–19: an introduction reviling Nabonidus, the previous king of Babylon, and associating Cyrus with the god Marduk;
Lines 20–22: detailing Cyrus's royal titles and genealogy, and his peaceful entry to Babylon;
Lines 22–34: a commendation of Cyrus's policy of restoring Babylon;
Lines 34–35: a prayer to Marduk on behalf of Cyrus and his son Cambyses;
Lines 36–37: a declaration that Cyrus has enabled the people to live in peace and has increased the offerings made to the gods;
Lines 38–45: details of the building activities ordered by Cyrus in Babylon.
The conquest of Babylon
Cyrus was determined to conquer Babylon, because he believed that he needed to spread Zoroastrianism to the Babylonian people.
In late September 539 BCE, the Persian army is camped north of Babylon.
Since Cyrus had planned the invasion ahead, he was prepared.
He ordered to create a dam on the Euphrates river, causing water levels to drop. This way, the Persian army could enter the city of Babylon through the river.
The battle of Opis was fought near the banks of the Tigris river, resulting in a Persian victory.
After that, Cyrus sent a message to the generals in Sippar to surrender, in exchange for loyalty to Persia.
They agreed and Cyrus granted them the Susa diamond.
Cyrus marched his army to Babylon and he sent his assassins first at night, through the river.
The assassins reach The Hanging Gardens, one of the wonders of the ancient world.
They conquer the city and capture Nabodinus.
Cyrus arrives in Babylon, the people love him for it.
His general Gobryas managed to defeat the remainders of the army and Persia was victorious.
The Persian Empire now borders Egypt, spanning over the entire region above Arabia.
Cyrus orders to release all the slaves, including the Jews in Babylon and he orders for the Cyrus Cylinder.The Cyrus Cylinder
(Translation re-written by Ali Fathi)
When the lord Marduk, king of the whole of heaven and earth, the Lord who is great in his ways, lays waste to his enemies.
I have travelled far and I have conquered. I have ruled with wisdom for all to see. I have seen the 4 quarters.
I have saved you from the evil kings son, a low person was put in charge of this country before.
But I have set you free from the false king.
He made a counterfeit of Esagil in the stars for Ur and the rest of the cult cities to see.
Rites inappropriate to them, impure food-offerings, sacrificing sick animals, so disrespectful. This was an insult.
He brought the daily offerings to a halt; he interfered with the rites and instituted his lies within the sanctuaries. In his mind, reverential fear of Marduk, king of the gods, came to an end.
He did yet more evil to his city every day; his people were disgraced, he brought ruin on them all by a yoke without relief.
Angels of the gods became extremely angry at their complaints and their territory. The gods who lived within them left their shrines.
Angry that he had made them enter into Shuanna (Babylon). Exalted Marduk, Angel of the Gods, relented. He changed his mind about all the settlements whose sanctuaries were in ruins,
And the population of the land of Sumer and Akkad who had become like corpses, and took pity on them. He inspected and checked all the countries,
Seeking for the upright king of his choice. He took the hand of Cyrus, king of the city of Anshan, and called him by his name, proclaiming him aloud for the kingship over all of everything.
He made the land of Guti and all the Median troops prostrate themselves at his feet, while he shepherded in justice and righteousness the black-headed people
Whom he had put under his care. Marduk, the great lord, who nurtures his people, saw with pleasure his fine deeds and true heart,
And ordered that he should go to Babylon. He had him take the road to Tintir (Babylon), and, like a friend and companion, he walked at his side.
His vast troops whose number, like the water in a river, could not be counted, were marching fully-armed at his side.
He had him enter without fighting or battle right into Shuanna; he saved his city Babylon from hardship. He handed over to him Nabonidus, the king who did not fear him.
All the people of Tintir, of all Sumer and Akkad, nobles and governors, bowed down before him and kissed his feet, rejoicing over his kingship and their faces shined.
The lord through whose help all were rescued from death and who saved them all from distress and hardship, they blessed him sweetly and praised his name.
I am Cyrus, king of the universe, the great king, the powerful king, king of Babylon, king of Sumer and Akkad, king of the four quarters of the world,
Son of Cambyses, the great king, king of the city of Anshan, grandson of Cyrus, the great king, king of the city of Anshan, descendant of Teispes, the great king, king of the city of Anshan,
The perpetual seed of kingship, whose reign Bel and Nabu love, and with whose kingship, to their joy, they concern themselves. When I went as Bringer of Peace into Babylon
I founded my sovereign residence within the palace amid celebration and rejoicing. Marduk, the great lord, bestowed on me as my destiny the great magnanimity of one who loves Babylon, and I every day sought him out in awe.
My vast troops were marching peacefully in Babylon, and the whole of Sumer and Akkad had nothing to fear.
I sought the safety of the city of Babylon and all its sanctuaries. As for the population of Babylon. No price is to high to break the yoke that enslaves them,
I soothed their weariness; I freed them from their bonds. Marduk, the great lord, rejoiced at my good deeds,
And he pronounced a sweet blessing over me, Cyrus, the king who fears him, and over Cambyses, my son, and over all my troops,
That we might live happily in his presence, in well-being. At his exalted command, all kings who sit on thrones,
From every quarter, from the Upper Sea to the Lower Sea, those who inhabit remote districts and the kings of the land of Amurru who live in tents, all of them,
Brought their weighty tribute into Shuanna, and kissed my feet. From Shuanna I sent back the slaves, to their places, and to the city of Ashur and Susa,
Akkad, the land of Eshnunna, the city of Zamban, the city of Meturnu, Der, as far as the border of the land of Guti - the sanctuaries across the river Tigris - whose shrines had earlier become dilapidated,
For the Gods who lived there, I made permanent sanctuaries. I collected together all of their people and returned them to their settlements,
And the Gods of the land of Sumer and Akkad which Nabonidus – to the fury of the lord of the gods – had brought into Shuanna, at the command of Marduk, the great lord,
I returned them unharmed to their cells, in the sanctuaries that make them happy. May all the Gods that I returned to their sanctuaries,
Every day before Bel and Nabu, ask for a long life for me, and mention my good deeds, and say to Marduk, my lord, this: “Cyrus, the king who fears you, and Cambyses his son,
May they be the provisioners of our shrines until distant days, and the population of Babylon call blessings on my kingship. I have enabled all the lands to live in peace.”
Every day I increased by your blessing,
I strove to strengthen the defences of the wall Imgur-Enlil, the great wall of Babylon,
And I completed the quay of baked brick on the bank of the moat which an earlier king had built but not completed its work.
I built the wall which did not surround the city, which no earlier king had built, by my Immortal work force, and the levee that brought water into Shuanna.
With bitumen and baked brick I built a new and completed its work.
I built the golden arches of the palaces, the great doors of cedar wood with bronze cladding
And I installed all their doors, threshold slabs and door fittings with copper parts. I let them write within it an inscription of Ashurbanipal, a king who preceded me;
Bless you in its place. May Marduk, the great lord, present to me as a gift a long life and the fullness of age,
And may I secure the throne and an enduring reign of Peace and may I be in your heart forever.
Temple of Jerusalem
Among many orders he sent out, after he conquered Babylon, many were building orders, including one for the Temple of Jerusalem. Cyrus had ordered the release of all the slaves, including the Jews. Cyrus is considered to be the Jewish messiah, long before Jesus Christ.
530 BCE
Cyrus II killed by the Massagetae of Tomyris’ army near the Iaxartes.
