Cyrus the Great, Exiles and Foreign Gods a Comparison of Assyrian and Persian Policies on Subject Nations1
Cyrus the Great, Exiles and Foreign Gods A Comparison of Assyrian and Persian Policies on Subject Nations1 To be published in: Wouter Henkelman, Charles Jones, Michael Kozuh and Christopher Woods (eds.), Extraction and Control: Studies in Honor of Matthew W. Stolper. Oriental Institute Publications. Chicago: Oriental Institute of the University of Chicago. R.J. van der Spek VU University Amsterdam Introduction Cyrus, king of Persia (559-530 BC), conqueror of Babylon (539), has a good reputation, also among modern historians. Most textbooks, monographs, and articles on ancient history stress his tolerance towards the countries and nations he subdued. It is mentioned time and again that he allowed them freedom of religion, that he behaved respectfully towards Babylon and its temple cults, and that he reinstated several cults, especially that of the god of Israel in Jerusalem. This policy is often contrasted with that of the Assyrian kings, who are presented as cruel rulers, oppressing subdued nations, destroying sanctuaries, deporting gods and people, and forcing their subjects to worship Assyrian gods. Cyrus’ acts supposedly inaugurated a new policy, aimed at winning the subject nations for the Persian Empire by tolerance and clemency. It was exceptional that Cambyses and Xerxes abandoned this policy in Egypt and Babylonia. In the prestigious Cambridge Ancient History volume on Persia, T. Cuyler Young maintains that Cyrus’ policy “was one of remarkable tolerance based on a respect for individual people, ethnic groups, other religions and ancient kingdoms.” 2 1 This contribution is an update of my article “Cyrus de Pers in Assyrisch perspectief: Een vergelijking tussen de Assyrische en Perzische politiek ten opzichte van onderworpen volken,” Tijdschrift voor Geschiedenis 96 (1983): 1-27 (in Dutch, for a general audience of historians).
[Show full text]