Little Cyrus, in the arms of his mother Mandane, spent his days observing his surroundings with curious eyes. While his body was still confined to infancy, his mind soared freely, immersing itself in the history books of his past life. Images and concepts flowed like a clear river from his photographic memory, especially those related to the great figure of Cyrus the Great, the true founder of the Achaemenid Empire. He recalled how Cyrus the Great had based his general policy on tolerance and leniency towards defeated enemies and the respect for their customs and religions. This approach was unprecedented in a world where violence and intolerance prevailed, and it helped him rule over a diverse group of people.
Amidst these reflections, the concept of Cyrus the Great's intelligence and prudence impressed him more than anything else. Little Cyrus knew well that his predecessor was not only a capable military leader but also acted with prudence, cunning, and intelligence. He relied on complex strategies and precise timing instead of direct and bloody attacks. This intelligence was evident in his approach to conquests, particularly in the capture of Babylon, where he took the city without widespread bloodshed and avoided destruction and plunder. This method was in complete contrast to ruthless empires like Assyria, which were known for their violence and devastation.
One of Cyrus the Great's most prominent characteristics was his avoidance of destruction and plunder after conquering cities. This trait, in little Cyrus's mind, distinguished him from all previous conquerors. Instead, Cyrus the Great focused on administering and stabilizing the empire, dividing newly conquered territories into semi-autonomous satrapies. This approach not only led to relative stability and satisfaction among the conquered people but also allowed Cyrus to leave behind a lasting and enduring legacy as the founder and first "King of Kings" of the powerful Achaemenid Empire.
Little Cyrus also pondered Cyrus the Great's religious beliefs and approach. Cyrus the Great pursued a policy of religious tolerance. He allowed the people under his rule to continue worshiping and living according to their own will, provided they paid their taxes to the central government. This policy, unlike the approach of ruthless empires like the Assyrians, enabled them to easily attract even the Greek peoples. In the conquest of Babylon, Cyrus not only captured the city without bloodshed but also presented himself as the representative of Marduk, the great god of the Babylonians.
In Babylon, Cyrus the Great restored Marduk's priests to their former positions, returned confiscated idols to their temples, and attended to the needs of the people. He also freed thousands of Jews who had been exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar and allowed them to return to Jerusalem. Cyrus even financially assisted them in rebuilding the Second Temple of Jerusalem. For this reason, he is the only non-Jew to be called "Messiah" in the Jewish religion. These actions demonstrated his deep respect for the beliefs and religious freedoms of conquered nations, which was an astonishing phenomenon in that historical era.
The discussion about Cyrus's personal religion also occupied little Cyrus's mind. Sources do not directly link Cyrus's personal religion to any specific faith like Zoroastrianism, and no inscription of his mentions Zoroaster. Ancient Iranians worshiped "the gods of the natural world, water, fire, earth, and above all, the sky," and Ahura Mazda was their principal deity. Cyrus was likely a follower of a form of polytheism or henotheism; that is, belief in a greater god (like Ahura Mazda) and several "lesser deities." His tolerance towards other religions can be attributed to this religious inclusivity in polytheism, unlike monotheism, which can sometimes lead to religious wars.
Little Cyrus continued to reflect on how his predecessor showed courage in pursuing justice in a world of conquest and destruction, where power was defined by violence. The Cyrus Cylinder, as the "first charter of human rights" in the world, bears witness to Cyrus's justice-oriented approach. This clay cylinder records his decrees, which include freeing people from slavery, rebuilding ruined homes, restoring people's gods to their sacred places, and allowing free worship for everyone. These words were astonishing in an era where slavery and oppression were rampant.
Cyrus's approach to conquests differed significantly from previous empires like Assyria. The Assyrians were known for their violence, massacres, beheading, forced deportations, and destruction of cities and temples. In contrast, Cyrus's conquest of Babylon was accomplished without widespread bloodshed. Instead of destruction, he engaged in development and reconstruction. This showed that Cyrus's understanding of power lay not in destruction and terror, but in intelligent administration and the creation of stability and satisfaction within his vast realm. He was called a "warrior" (جنگاور - jangāvar) not a "fighter" (جنگجو - jangjoo), meaning he did not necessarily initiate wars, but acted in response to attacks, such as the Lydian invasion, or to complete a "historical mission," such as the conquest of Mesopotamia. This perspective emphasizes his intelligence, as he thought of management and cooperation instead of bloodshed.