Discovering Cyrus: The Persian Conqueror Astride the Ancient World
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- $29.99
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- $29.99
Publisher Description
Some of the most fascinating human epochs lie in the borderlands between history and mystery. So it is with the life of Cyrus the Great, founder of the Persian Empire in the sixth century B.C. By conquest or gentler means, he brought under his rule a dominion stretching from the Aegean Sea to the Hindu Kush and encompassing some tens of millions of people. All across this immense imperium, he earned support and stability by respecting local customs and religions, avoiding the brutal ways of tyranny, and efficiently administering the realm through provincial governors. The empire would last another two centuries, leaving an indelible Persian imprint on much of the ancient world. The Greek chronicler Xenophon, looking back from a distance of several generations, wrote: “Cyrus did indeed eclipse all other monarchs, before or since.” The biblical prophet Second Isaiah anticipated Cyrus’ repatriation of the Jews living in exile in Babylon by having the Lord say, “He is my shepherd and will accomplish all that I please.” Despite what he achieved and bequeathed, much about Cyrus remains uncertain. Persians of his era had no great respect for the written word and kept no annals. The most complete accounts of his life were composed by Greeks. More fragmentary or tangential evidence takes many forms – among them, archaeological remains, administrative records in subject lands, and the always tricky stuff of legend. Given these challenges, Discovering Cyrus: The Persian Conqueror Astride the Ancient World is a remarkable feat of portraiture. In his vast sweep, Reza S. Zarghamee draws on sources of every kind, painstakingly assembling detail, and always weighing evidence carefully where contradictions arise. He describes the background of the Persian people, the turbulence of the times, and the roots of Cyrus’ policies. His account of the imperial era itself delves into religion, military methods, commerce, court life, and much else besides. The result is a living, breathing Cyrus standing atop a distant world that played a key role in shaping our own.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
British-born, American-Iranian attorney Zarghamee puts on his scholarly cap to profile Cyrus the Great, the famed sixth-century B.C.E. Persian conqueror and founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Acclaimed for ruling with a light hand in an "efficient and benign" fashion and "introducing chivalry to warfare," the sovereign forged a vast realm that "surpassed all previous Near Eastern kingdoms in its cosmopolitan makeup." Relying heavily on Persian archaeological and Greek literary sources, Zarghamee deftly examines Cyrus's religion, military (including the 10,000 Immortals), and extensive network of highways that facilitated trade. While this lengthy tome is well researched and thorough, it abounds in speculation and tangential evidence, as the author concedes, as well as an urge to predate Zoroastrianism and overstate its influence on Judaism, and utilizes anachronistic or imprecise terminology ("Palestine" instead of Israel/Judah, "Old Testament" instead of Hebrew Bible, etc.) that will needlessly confuse readers. Still, the work is fair, incisive, and detailed, and merits the attention of a broad readership interested in ancient history, religion, and imperialism.
