| Cyrus (580-529 BC) was the
first Achaemenian Emperor. He founded Persia by uniting
the two original Iranian Tribes; the Medes and the
Persians. Although he was known to be a great conqueror,
who at one point controlled one of the greatest Empires
ever seen, he is best remembered for his unprecedented
tolerance and magnanimous attitude towards those he
defeated. Upon
his victory over the Medes, he founded a government for
his new kingdom, incorporating both Median and Persian
nobles as civilian officials. The conquest of Asia Minor
completed, he led his armies to the eastern frontiers.
Hyrcania and Parthia were already part of the Median
Kingdom. Further east, he conquered Drangiana, Arachosia,
Margiana and Bactria. After crossing the Oxus, he reached
the Jaxartes, where he built fortified towns with the
object of defending the farthest frontier of his kingdom
against nomadic tribes of Central Asia. The victories to
the east led him again to the west and sounded the hour
for attack on Babylon and Egypt. When he conquered
Babylon, he did so to cheers from the Jewish Community,
who welcomed him as a liberator- he allowed the Jews to
return to the promised Land. He showed great forbearance
and respect towards the religious beliefs and cultural
traditions of other races. These qualities earned him the
respect and homage of all the people over whom he ruled.
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