Cyrus the Great (558–529 B.C.)

The simple style of Cyrus was a reflection of Elamite royal custom and recalls the curt inscription at Choga Zanbil, which simply names the founder as 'I Untash-Gal'. Two lines of beautifully and simply carved column bases found in the course of excavating a palace of Cyrus the Great. In assessing the accretion of wealth that came to Iran from the time of Cyrus onwards one should not forget the great influx of men and animals as well as timber and other commodities. A consideration of the vast distances that are covered by the armies of Cyrus for the acquisition of the empire must lead us to reflect, on the order and sequence of his campaigns. The situation which confronted Cyrus at the beginning of his reign has been admirably expounded by Sidney Smith. The capture of Babylon, richest of all the Persian satrapies, inevitably brought in its train hegemony over the rich cities of Syria and Palestine.