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The first declaration of human rights? What important message does the Cyrus Cylinder convey?
The Cyrus Cylinder is an ancient clay cylinder with an Achaemenid royal inscription in Akkadian cuneiform, written by the Persian king Cyrus the Great. The cylinder dates back to the 6th century BC and was discovered in 1879 at the site of the ancient city of Babylon in present-day Iraq. It is currently in the custody of the British Museum. The cylinder was buried as a cornerstone when Persia conquered Babylon in 539 BC, and is engraved with inscriptions that promote Cyrus's deeds and his relationship with the Babylonian people.
The inscription on the cylinder praises Cyrus, portraying him as a bringer of peace and indicating his benevolent treatment of the people of Babylon.
The text of the cylinder details Cyrus's lineage and portrays the defeated Babylonian king Nabonidus as a cowardly oppressor, contrasting his royal background with that of Cyrus. Cyrus was hailed as the savior of the Babylonian people, chosen by the god Marduk to restore peace and order to Babylon. Cyrus entered Babylon in a peaceful manner and was welcomed by the people.
He improved the lives of the people of Babylon, repaired the destroyed temples, and sent exiles back to their homeland.
The text of this cylinder is considered in academia to be a demonstration of Cyrus's relative openness to cultural and religious diversity. Neil McGregor, former director of the British Museum, noted that this was "the first attempt at governance of a multi-ethnic society that we know of". Today, the column is considered a national symbol by Iran and was displayed during the 1971 celebrations of the 2500th anniversary of the Persian Empire.
The discovery of the Cyrus Cylinder began during archaeological excavations in 1879, when archaeologist Hormuzd Rassam found it in the base of the main temple of Eshaqila in Babylon.
As an important archaeological discovery, the Cyrus Cylinder is not only a cultural relic, but also a historical witness, recording the precious peaceful rule of ancient Persia over Babylon.
The text of the cylinder contains 45 lines, the first 35 lines are on "Fragment A" and the rest are on "Fragment B". The text is structured to include an accusation against Nabonidus, a royal genealogy of Cyrus, an account of the peaceful entry into Babylon, and a prayer to Marduk.
The proclamations in these texts appear to be consistent with older Mesopotamian traditions, which show that rulers often used the rebuilding of temples and the restoration of cities to justify their rule. In the column, Cyrus emphasized his status as "king of the world" and demonstrated his obligations to the gods and the people.
Historians believe that the Cyrus Cylinder also implies the Persian Empire's respect for the religious and cultural traditions of the conquered regions. The god Marduk mentioned in the text shows that the legitimacy of Cyrus' rule was based on the support of divine will. All this leads to the cylinder being spiritually interpreted as "the first declaration of human rights." However, this interpretation is also controversial, and many scholars have criticized such views as being too advanced and even inaccurate.
In modern times, the Cyrus Cylinder has been interpreted as an early statement of human rights, gaining resonance among different cultures and ethnic groups. So, what does this ancient artifact represent to modern people? How should we understand the true meaning and impact of the Cyrus Cylinder?
