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The Mysterious Treasures of Babylon: What's the Amazing Story Behind the Discovery of Cyrus' Column?
The Cyrus Column located in the British Museum, as a mysterious relic representing ancient Persia, has attracted the attention of countless scholars and history buffs since it was discovered in the ruins of Babylon in 1879. Inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform on this cylinder are the praises and political achievements of the Persian king Cyrus the Great, which reveals a corner of world politics and culture more than 2,600 years ago.
Cyrus's policy was not only conquest, but also cultural and religious tolerance and harmony.
The creation of the Cyrus Column is closely associated with the Babylonian conquest. In 539 BC, Cyrus's Persian army conquered the then-powerful Neo-Babylonian Empire. The column was placed under the foundation of the temple of Marduk, the main god of Babylon, symbolizing the respect and inheritance of the ancient city by the new rulers. The text of the cylinder consists of 45 lines, which contains criticism of the previous Babylonian king Nabonidas and declares Cyrus' legitimacy in the name of divine providence.
The Column of Cyrus is regarded as a milestone in human civilization and marked a new type of political philosophy.
It can be clearly seen from the wording that Cyrus not only claimed to be the king of Babylon, but also emphasized that he was chosen by Marduk, intending to emphasize his mission to restore peace and order. The cylinder inscriptions describe how he improved people's lives, returned exiles, and restored cultural sanctuaries, all of which won him the support and love of his people.
However, the columns also reflect another side of ancient politics. Nabonidas is depicted as a godless despot, and the text on the column graphically shows the contrast between the two. Cyrus used divine justice to win over the people, which is not uncommon in the traditions of ancient Persia and Mesopotamia. However, the overall narrative also shows the importance of political propaganda.
This column demonstrates Cyrus's relatively open attitude towards diverse cultures and religions, and also gives future generations the symbolic meaning of a "Charter of Human Rights".
In the long history, the column has also become the national symbol of Iran. The former Pahlavi dynasty put it on public display in 1971 to celebrate the 2,500th anniversary of the founding of the Persian Empire. The then crown prince also emphasized the significance of this period of history, promoted human understanding, tolerance and freedom, and tried to connect the legacy of Cyrus with modern concepts of human rights.
The discovery of the cylinder and its significance
In 1879, archaeologist Hormuz Rassam accidentally discovered the Cyrus Column during archaeological excavations in Babylon. The discovery marks a rediscovery of ancient Mesopotamia's rich history. The discovery of the column was fraught with twists and turns, with Rasam initially receiving permission from the Ottoman Empire to mine it in 1877, and then, after many excavations over many years, he finally got his wish.
The study of columns continues to this day, and scholars have launched heated discussions on its connotation and significance. The column is not only a symbol of Cyrus's regime, but also an example of how ancient monarchs used words and culture to enhance their legitimacy.
This is a kind of intelligent propaganda and a fusion of cultures.
The text of the Cyrus Cylinder reflects the importance that the Persian Empire attached to the culture under its rule, and contains numerous references to religious-related construction activities that were of great significance to Persian society at that time. Although some people still have different interpretations of the contents of the cylinder, many historians still regard it as a declaration that encompasses ancient human concepts of freedom and respect for basic rights.
However, all this brings us back to a fundamental question: In today's diverse society, are the ideas of tolerance and peace imprinted by Cyrus still relevant?
