Cyrus the Great: Founder of the Persian Empire (Forgotten Rulers) - Softcover

Inhaltsangabe

In Cyrus the Great: Founder of the Persian Empire, Edward Harcourt brings to life the ruler who transformed a fragmented world of tribes and kingdoms into one of the largest empires of the ancient age. From the highlands of Persia to the great cities of Mesopotamia, Cyrus forged a new political order that united diverse peoples while preserving their traditions, religions, and institutions. His conquests reshaped the Near East and established a model of rule that endured long after his death.

Drawing on early sources such as The Histories and the Cyrus Cylinder, along with archaeological remains from Pasargadae, Babylon, and Sardis, Harcourt reconstructs a life that moves between legend and history. The traditions surrounding Cyrus’s origins stand alongside the material record of his campaigns and governance, revealing a leader operating within real landscapes, systems, and constraints.

Harcourt explores the structure of the empire Cyrus built, where local elites, tribute networks, and regional autonomy sustained authority across vast distances. Through conquest, integration, and administration, Cyrus emerges as both a military leader and a founder of lasting institutions, whose legacy continued to shape the ancient world long after his time.

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