Historical Figure
Cyrus the Great
d. 530 BC
Founder of the Achaemenid Empire
Talk to Cyrus the Great
Have a conversation with this historical figure through AI
Key Dates
Biography
Cyrus II of Persia, commonly known as Cyrus the Great, was the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Hailing from Persis, he brought the Achaemenid dynasty to power by defeating the Median Empire and embracing all of the previous civilized states of the ancient Near East, expanding vastly across most of West Asia and much of Central Asia to create what would soon become the largest empire in history at the time. The Achaemenid Empire's greatest territorial extent was achieved under Darius the Great, whose rule stretched from Southeast Europe and Northeast Africa in the west to the Indus Valley in the east.
Timeline
King Cyrus The Great of Persia marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost 70 years of exile and making the first Human Rights Declaration.
October 17 →Cyrus the Great marches into the city of Babylon, releasing the Jews from almost 70 years of exile. Cyrus allows the Jews to return to Yehud Medinata and rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem.
October 17 →Cyrus the Great (founder of Persian Empire) entered capital of Babylon and allowed the Jews to return to their land.
October 29 →The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia conquer Babylon, ending the Babylonian empire. (Julian calendar)
October 12 →More from the Ancient
Explore what happened on the days that shaped Cyrus the Great's life. Today In History connects historical figures with the events, births, and deaths that defined their era. Browse all historical figures or explore today's events.