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Cyrus the Great

Also known as: Cyrus the Great; primary name: Cyrus II; other name: Cyrus the Great; other name: ku-ra-aš
Details: individual; ruler; royal/imperial; Persian; Male
Life dates: c.590/580 BC-530 BC
Other dates: 550 BC-530 BC (ruled)
Biography: Iranian ruler of the Achaemenid empire; captured the seat of the Neo-Babylonian empire at Babylon in 539 BC; seen as the founder of the Persian Empire, which he organized into satrapies, he is also hailed as an ideal ruler as he allowed the exiled Jews to return to Jerusalem (referred to in the Old Testament Book of Daniel), and he showed tolerance and generosity towards conquered people and other religions. The so-called "Cyrus cylinder", excavated at Babylon and in the British Museum, consequently has been popularly termed the "first charter of human rights". Cyrus II was son of Cambyses I (son of Cyrus I), and Princess Mandane, daughter of the Median king Astyages (q.v.). He is the subject of a semi-biographical work, the "Cyropaedia" ["The Education of Cyrus"], by Xenophon. Died on campaign in Central Asia while fighting the Massagetai, a moment described by Herodotus and thus linked to Tomyris, the queen of the Massagetai (q.v.).

1,288 related objects

album; drawing

Museum number: 1889,0527.94 |
Producer name: Circle/School of:Maso FiniguerraCircle/School of:Baccio Baldini |
Production date: 1470-1475

album; drawing

Museum number: 1889,0527.92 |
Producer name: Circle/School of:Maso FiniguerraCircle/School of:Baccio Baldini |
Production date: 1470-1475

book

Museum number: EPH-ME.125 |
Production date: 1971

brick

Museum number: 118362 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x13574 Achaemenid |
Production date: 6thC BC |
Production place: Made in:Ur (historic - city) |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Ur (historic - city)

brick

Museum number: 90731 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x13574 Achaemenid |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Warka

cast; relief

Museum number: C.230.3 |
Producer name: BIOG70395 Made by:Lorenzo Giuntini |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Original from:Pasargadae

cast; relief

Museum number: C.230.2 |
Producer name: BIOG70395 Made by:Lorenzo Giuntini |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Original from:Pasargadae

cast; relief

Museum number: C.230.1 |
Producer name: BIOG70395 Made by:Lorenzo Giuntini |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Original from:Pasargadae

cast; relief

Museum number: C.230.4 |
Producer name: BIOG70395 Made by:Lorenzo Giuntini |
Production date: 1892 |
Production place: Original from:Pasargadae

counter

Museum number: 1866,0308.1 |
Producer name: BIOG81162 Made by:C Wermuth |
Production date: 1700

cylinder

Title: The Cyrus Cylinder |
Museum number: 90920 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Issuer:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production date: 539BC |
Production place: Made in:Babylon (Iraq) |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Amran (Babylon)

dish

Museum number: 1985,1002.1 |
Producer name: Painted by:Sforza di MarcantonioAfter:Marcantonio |
Production date: 1551 |
Production place: Made in:Pesaro

drawing

Museum number: 1898,1216.5 |
Producer name: Drawn by:Paolo Gerolamo PiolaFormerly attributed to:Antoine Coypel |
Production date: 1681-1724

greeting-card

Title: Kourosh |
Museum number: EPH-ME.1211 |
Producer name: BIOG216203 Published by:Shakiba Gallery |
Production date: 1990s |
Production place: Published in:Tehran (city)

greeting-card

Title: Kourosh |
Museum number: EPH-ME.1209 |
Producer name: BIOG216203 Published by:Shakiba Gallery |
Production date: 1990s |
Production place: Published in:Tehran (city)

greeting-card

Title: Kourosh |
Museum number: EPH-ME.1210 |
Producer name: BIOG216203 Published by:Shakiba Gallery |
Production date: 1990s |
Production place: Published in:Tehran (city)

greeting-card

Title: Kourosh |
Museum number: EPH-ME.1208 |
Producer name: BIOG216203 Published by:Shakiba Gallery |
Production date: 1990s |
Production place: Published in:Tehran (city)

greeting-card

Title: Kourosh |
Museum number: EPH-ME.1207 |
Producer name: BIOG216203 Published by:Shakiba Gallery |
Production date: 1990s |
Production place: Published in:Tehran (city)

pen

Museum number: EPH-ME.358 |
Production date: 21stC |
Production place: Made in:Iran

plaque

Museum number: EPH-ME.564 |
Production date: 2011 |
Production place: Made in:Tehran (city) |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Tehran (city)

plate

Museum number: 1878,1230.439 |
Producer name: Painted by:Francesco Xanto AvelliWorkshop of:Francesco di Silvano |
Production date: 1542 |
Production place: Made in:Urbino

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.86 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print

Museum number: 1891,0414.894 |
Producer name: After:Peter Paul RubensPrint made by:François Ragot |
Production date: 1632-1670 |
Production place: Published in:Paris (France)

print

Title: Greek heroines |
Museum number: E,4.259 |
Producer name: BIOG41533 Print made by:Georg Pencz |
Production date: 1539

print; title-page

Museum number: 1858,0417.259 |
Producer name: BIOG37366 Print made by:William Marshall |
Production date: 1632

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.95 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print

Title: Cyrus Mayor |
Museum number: X,3.504 |
Producer name: BIOG48158 After:Antonio Tempesta |
Production date: 1590-1650

print

Title: Cyrus Maior Four Illustrious Rulers of Antiquity |
Museum number: 1948,0410.4.58 |
Producer name: Print made by:Adriaen CollaertAfter:Maarten de Vos |
Production date: 1575-1618

print

Museum number: W,6.126 |
Producer name: Print made by:Bernardino CurtiAfter:Luca Ferrari |
Production date: 1649 |
Production place: Published in:Padua

print

Title: Thomyris with the head of Cyrus Engravings after the Best Pictures of the Great |
Museum number: 1892,0714.687 |
Producer name: After:Peter Paul RubensPrint made by:Thomas Dick |
Production date: 1839 |
Production place: Published in:EdinburghPublished in:London (England)

print; book-illustration

Museum number: 1927,0614.273 |
Producer name: Print made by:Erhard SchönPrinted by:Jean Marion |
Production date: 1520-1521 |
Production place: Printed in:Lyon

print; book-illustration

Museum number: 1923,1112.60 |
Producer name: Print made by:Jan Swart van GroningenPublished by:Willem Vorsterman |
Production date: 1528 |
Production place: Published in:Antwerp (city)

print

Title: The exposition of Cyrus Houghton Gallery |
Museum number: 1868,1212.22 |
Producer name: Print made by:Richard EarlomAfter:Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione |
Production date: 1781 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Museum number: 1913,0418.1 |
Producer name: BIOG64572 Print made by:Anonymous |
Production date: 1570

print

Museum number: 1895,0420.176.55 |
Producer name: BIOG46190 Print made by:Christoffel van Sichem III |
Production date: 1645

print

Museum number: R,4.79 |
Producer name: After:Peter Paul RubensPrint made by:Paulus Pontius |
Production date: 1630

print; title-page

Museum number: 1896,1230.224 |
Producer name: BIOG37366 Print made by:William Marshall |
Production date: 1632

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.94 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print

Title: Greek heroines |
Museum number: 1854,1113.177 |
Producer name: BIOG41533 Print made by:Georg Pencz |
Production date: 1539

print

Museum number: 1891,0414.893 |
Producer name: After:Peter Paul RubensPrint made by:Bernard Lépicié |
Production date: 1713-1720 1755-1768 |
Production place: Published in:Paris (France)

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.98 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.93 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.85 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.97 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print

Title: The story of Daniel, Bel and the dragon |
Museum number: D,5.89 |
Producer name: Print made by:Philips GalleAfter:Maarten van Heemskerck |
Production date: 1565

print; book-illustration

Title: Cyrus |
Museum number: 1874,0613.1727 |
Producer name: BIOG153245 Published by:Aegidius Paulus Dumesnil |
Production date: 1721-1735 |
Production place: Published in:Paris (France)

print

Title: Thomiris Galerie du Palais Royal |
Museum number: 1855,0609.504 |
Producer name: After:Peter Paul RubensPrint made by:Robert de Launay |
Production date: 1786-1808

print

Title: Thomiris Galerie du Palais Royal |
Museum number: 1891,0414.1319 |
Producer name: Print made by:Robert de LaunayAfter:Peter Paul Rubens |
Production date: 1786-1808

print; book

Museum number: L,79.1-48 |
Producer name: Print made by:Élisabeth Sophie ChéronPrint made by:Nicolas Tardieu |
Production date: 1690-1720

print

Museum number: E,8.155 |
Producer name: BIOG45169 Attributed to:Hans Schäufelein |
Production date: 1500-1540

print

Title: The exposition of Cyrus Houghton Gallery |
Museum number: 1901,0417.38 |
Producer name: Print made by:John BoydellIntermediary draughtsman:Richard Earlom |
Production date: 1765 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Title: The distress of Tigranes, before Cyrus, on finding his father the King of Armenia, mother, wife, and |
Museum number: 1839,0413.7 |
Producer name: After:Benjamin WestPrint made by:James Fittler |
Production date: 1788 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Title: Queen Tomyris with head of Cyrus The Arundel Club |
Museum number: 1907,1220.43 |
Producer name: After:Peter Paul RubensPublished by:Arundel Club |
Production date: 1906

print

Title: The distress of Tigranes, before Cyrus, on finding his father the King of Armenia, mother, wife, and |
Museum number: 1838,0714.102 |
Producer name: After:Benjamin WestPrint made by:James Fittler |
Production date: 1788 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print; book-illustration

Museum number: 1982,U.2221 |
Producer name: Print made by:AnonymousPrinted by:Heinrich Petri |
Production date: 1544-1552 |
Production place: Printed in:Basel

print

Title: Cyrus, King of Persia Thesaurus Sacrarum Historiarum veteris testamenti, |
Museum number: 1968,1018.1.153 |
Producer name: BIOG33054 Published by:Gerard de Jode |
Production date: 1585

print

Title: The finding of Cyrus The Most Capital Paintings in England |
Museum number: 1924,0512.16 |
Producer name: Print made by:John BoydellAfter:Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione |
Production date: 1767 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Title: The Distress of Tigranes, before Cyrus, on finding his father the King of Armenia, mother, wife, and |
Museum number: 1838,0714.101 |
Producer name: After:Benjamin WestPrint made by:James Fittler |
Production date: 1788 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Title: The distress of Tigranes, before Cyrus, on finding his father the King of Armenia, mother, wife, and |
Museum number: 1888,0716.291 |
Producer name: After:Benjamin WestPrint made by:James Fittler |
Production date: 1788 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

print

Title: The Distress of Tigranes, before Cyrus, on finding his father the King of Armenia, mother, wife, and |
Museum number: 1838,1110.29 |
Producer name: After:Benjamin WestPrint made by:James Fittler |
Production date: 1788 |
Production place: Published in:London (England)

stamp; envelope

Title: Charter of Cyrus the Great - 2500th anniversary |
Museum number: EPH-ME.9001 |
Production date: 12 October 1971 |
Production place: Printed in:Mumbai

tablet

Museum number: 85679 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 82640 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 27960 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet; seal-impression

Museum number: 29355 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 26664 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 26626 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 29441 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 47351 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 29291 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 29491 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 26569 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 29455 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production date: 538BC |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 26608 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 26695 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 96464 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 108911 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Asia

tablet

Museum number: 46653 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 45321 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 42543 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 129093 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 87344 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Findspot: Found/Acquired:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 29489 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 47639 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 27926 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 28986 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 113250 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Asia

tablet

Museum number: 85772 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 87047 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 27980 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 13150 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 30214 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great

tablet

Museum number: 29195 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 49590 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Findspot: Excavated/Findspot:Dilbat

tablet

Museum number: 48029 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

tablet

Museum number: 25857 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 103460 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Production place: Made in:Asia

tablet

Museum number: 29503 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 29434 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty |
Production place: Made in:Borsippa

tablet

Museum number: 26893 |
Authority: BIOG142470 Ruler:Cyrus the Great |
Cultures/periods: x108702 Achaemenid Dynasty

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