<p>Cyrus the Persian was possibly the greatest statesman of the ancient world. Learn of his humble origins, the mighty empire that he built and how it finally collapsed several centuries later.</p>

What You Will Learn

Cyrus Cylinder

A clay cylinder 23 centimetres long found in Babylon and now in the British Museum reads, "Without any battle, he made him enter his town Babylon, sparing Babylon any calamity.

Medes versus Persians

Medes had been preoccupied with the Scythian invasion, the Persians had reasserted their indepen­dence.

Astyages & Cyrus

Before Cyrus the Great was born, Astyages had a dream that his magi interpreted to mean that his daughter's son would be a threat to his throne.