The Cyrus Cylinder: How the First Human Rights Declaration Was Credited to Europe 1,700 Years Later

The Greatest Theft of Moral Credit in Modern History

The Lie We’re Taught

What Every School Child Learns:

“The Magna Carta (1215 CE) was the first document to establish human rights and limit governmental power. It’s the foundation of Western democracy and individual liberty.”

What the United Nations Claims:

The UN website, human rights textbooks, and Western institutions universally present the Magna Carta as the beginning of human rights history.

The Historical Reality:

1,700 years before the Magna Carta, a Persian king issued the world’s first human rights declaration:

The Cyrus Cylinder (539 BCE)

Created by Cyrus the Great of Persia, this ancient clay cylinder declared:

• Freedom of religion
• Abolition of slavery
• Right to choose one’s profession
• Freedom from forced labor
• Equality regardless of ethnicity
• Repatriation of displaced peoples
• Restoration of destroyed temples
• Universal human rights for all subjects

This article exposes:

• What the Cyrus Cylinder actually says
• Why it predates any European human rights document by over a millennium
• How Western institutions deliberately erased Persian credit
• Why the Magna Carta is falsely presented as “first”
• The geopolitical motivation for this theft
• How this fits the pattern of burying Zoroastrian/Persian contributions

The Cyrus Cylinder is the first human rights charter in history. The Magna Carta was 1,700 years late. And the world has been lied to.

PART I: THE CYRUS CYLINDER

What It Is and What It Says

Physical Description:

The Artifact:

• Ancient clay cylinder
• Written in Akkadian cuneiform
• 22.5 cm long, 10 cm diameter
• Created in 539 BCE
• Discovered in 1879 in Babylon (modern Iraq)
• Currently in British Museum, London

Historical Context:

Who Created It:

• Cyrus II (Cyrus the Great) – King of Persia
• Founder of Achaemenid Persian Empire
• Conquered Babylon in 539 BCE
• Established largest empire the world had yet seen
• Zoroastrian – follower of Ahura Mazda

Why It Was Created:

• Announced Cyrus’s conquest of Babylon
• Declared his policies as new ruler
• Established principles of governance
• Proclaimed rights and freedoms

WHAT THE CYRUS CYLINDER DECLARES

Complete Translation of Key Passages:

On Freedom of Religion:

“From [Babylon] to Ashur and from Susa, Akkad, the land of Eshnunna, Zamban, Meturnu, and Der, as far as the region of Gutium, the sacred centers on the other side of the Tigris, whose sanctuaries had been abandoned for a long time, I returned the images of the gods, who had resided there, to their places and I let them dwell in eternal abodes. I gathered all their inhabitants and returned to them their dwellings.”

Translation:

• Restored religious freedom
• Allowed displaced peoples to worship their own gods
• Returned stolen religious idols to their temples
• No forced conversion to Zoroastrianism

On Freedom from Slavery:

“I abolished forced labor (corvée).”

Translation:

• Ended slavery and forced labor
• Freed people from compulsory state service
• Established right to choose one’s work

On Repatriation and Freedom of Movement:

“I returned (to the cities) on the other side of the Tigris sanctuaries which had been in ruins over a long period, the images which used to live therein and established for them permanent sanctuaries. I gathered together all their inhabitants and restored to them their dwellings.“

Translation:

• Allowed exiled peoples to return home
• Freedom of movement and settlement
• Restoration of communities
• Right to return to homeland

On Ethnic and Religious Equality:

“I sought the welfare of the city of Babylon and all its sanctuaries. As for the citizens of Babylon… I relieved their weariness and freed them from their bondage.”

Translation:

• No discrimination based on ethnicity
• Equal treatment under law
• Welfare and protection for all subjects
• Liberation from oppression

On Building and Worship:

“May all the gods whom I returned to their sanctuaries, ask daily of Bel and Nabu that my days be long and may they intercede for my welfare.”

Translation:

• Respect for all religions
• Protection of houses of worship
• Support for rebuilding temples
• Religious pluralism

THE PRINCIPLES ESTABLISHED

The Cyrus Cylinder Codified:

1. Religious Freedom

• No forced conversion
• Worship any god freely
• Temples protected and restored
• Religious pluralism

2. Abolition of Slavery

• Ended forced labor
• Freedom to choose profession
• No corvée (compulsory labor)
• Economic freedom

3. Freedom of Movement

• Right to return home
• Repatriation of exiles
• Restoration of displaced peoples
• Freedom to settle

4. Ethnic Equality

• No discrimination by nationality
• Equal rights regardless of origin
• Protection for all subjects
• Universal application

5. Right to Property

• Restoration of homes
• Return of lands
• Protection of possessions
• Economic rights

6. Cultural Protection

• Preservation of languages
• Protection of traditions
• Respect for local customs
• Cultural pluralism

7. Governmental Accountability

• King’s duty to welfare of people
• Declaration of policy
• Public proclamation
• Accountability to principles

PART II: THE BIBLICAL CONFIRMATION

The Cyrus Cylinder in Scripture

The Bible Confirms Everything:

Isaiah 45:1, 13:

“This is what the LORD says to his anointed, to Cyrus, whose right hand I take hold of to subdue nations before him… I will raise up Cyrus in my righteousness: I will make all his ways straight. He will rebuild my city and set my exiles free, but not for a price or reward, says the LORD Almighty.”

Key Points:

• Cyrus called “anointed” (MESSIAH – מָשִׁיחַ)
• Will “set my exiles free”
• Will “rebuild my city” (Jerusalem)
• Biblical confirmation of Cyrus’s liberation policy

Ezra 1:1-4:

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: ‘This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the temple of the LORD… And in any locality where survivors may now be living, the people are to provide them with silver and gold, with goods and livestock, and with freewill offerings for the temple of God in Jerusalem.'”

Key Points:

• Cyrus issued written proclamation (= Cyrus Cylinder)
• Freed Jewish exiles
• Funded rebuilding of temple
• Allowed return to homeland
• Provided resources for rebuilding

Ezra 6:3-5:

“In the first year of King Cyrus, the king issued a decree concerning the temple of God in Jerusalem: Let the temple be rebuilt as a place to present sacrifices… The costs are to be paid by the royal treasury. Also, the gold and silver articles of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, are to be returned to their places in the temple in Jerusalem.”

Key Points:

• Royal funding for temple
• Return of stolen religious artifacts
• Persian state supporting religious freedom

2 Chronicles 36:22-23:

“In the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, in order to fulfill the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah, the LORD moved the heart of Cyrus king of Persia to make a proclamation throughout his realm and also to put it in writing: ‘This is what Cyrus king of Persia says: The LORD, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth and he has appointed me to build a temple for him at Jerusalem in Judah. Any of his people among you may go up, and may the LORD their God be with them.‘”

The Biblical Witness: The Bible explicitly confirms:

• Cyrus freed exiles (70 years of Babylonian captivity ended)
• Allowed religious freedom
• Funded temple rebuilding
• Restored stolen religious items
• Made written proclamation (the Cylinder)

This is not Persian propaganda. This is Biblical testimony to Cyrus’s human rights policies.

PART III: THE HISTORICAL IMPACT

What Cyrus Actually Did

The Liberation of Babylon (539 BCE):

Before Cyrus:

• Babylonian King Nabonidus ruled
• Oppressive regime
• Forced labor common
• Religious persecution
• Exiled peoples held captive
• Temples destroyed or neglected

Cyrus’s Conquest:

• Entered Babylon peacefully (minimal resistance)
• No massacre or destruction
• Immediate policy changes
• Revolutionary governance

What Changed:

1. THE JEWISH LIBERATION

The Situation:

• Jews exiled to Babylon in 586 BCE (by Nebuchadnezzar)
• 70 years of captivity
• Jerusalem destroyed
• Temple demolished
• People enslaved

Cyrus’s Action (539 BCE):

• Freed all Jewish exiles
• Allowed return to Judea
• Funded rebuilding of Jerusalem Temple
• Returned stolen temple artifacts
• Protected their journey home

The Result:

• Second Temple Judaism begins
• Foundation of post-Exile Jewish civilization
• First biblical person called “Messiah” = Persian Zoroastrian king

This is documented in:

• The Bible (Isaiah, Ezra, 2 Chronicles)
• The Cyrus Cylinder
• Historical records

2. OTHER PEOPLES LIBERATED

The Cyrus Cylinder States:

“I returned to (the sites of) their sanctuaries, all the gods of Sumer and Akkad whom Nabonidus has brought into Babylon… and I returned them unharmed to their dwellings.”

Who Was Freed:

• Not just Jews, but all captive peoples
• Multiple ethnic groups
• Various religious communities
• Displaced populations across empire

What This Means:

• Universal human rights (not selective)
• Applied to all subjects regardless of:
  • Ethnicity
  • Religion
  • Previous political status
  • Cultural background

This is the first known universal declaration of rights in history.

3. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM ACROSS THE EMPIRE

Policy:

• No state-imposed religion
• Despite Cyrus being Zoroastrian, no forced conversion
• Protection of all temples
• State funding for religious rebuilding
• Respect for local deities

Examples:

• Jewish temple rebuilt with Persian money
• Babylonian temples restored
• Egyptian temples protected
• Greek sacred sites respected (when empire expanded)

The Revolutionary Concept: A ruler who doesn’t impose his religion on subjects.

4. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY AND FORCED LABOR

The Cylinder’s Declaration:

“I abolished forced labor (corvée).”

What This Meant:

• Ended slavery (at least forced state slavery)
• No compulsory labor
• Freedom to choose profession
• Economic liberty

Historical Significance:

• First known abolition decree
• Predates any other anti-slavery document by over 2,000 years
• Universal application across empire

5. EQUALITY BEFORE LAW

Cyrus’s Administration:

• Fair governance
• No ethnic favoritism
• Merit-based appointments (satraps from various backgrounds)
• Equal legal protections

Examples:

• Jews given same rights as Persians
• Babylonians treated fairly despite being conquered
• All subjects protected equally

PART IV: THE MAGNA CARTA

What It Actually Says (And Doesn’t Say)

The Magna Carta (1215 CE):

Historical Context:

Who Created It:

• English barons
• Forced King John to sign
• Runnymede, England
• June 15, 1215

Why It Was Created:

• King John’s excessive taxation
• Arbitrary rule
• Barons’ rebellion
• Protecting baronial privileges, not universal human rights

WHAT THE MAGNA CARTA ACTUALLY SAYS

Key Clauses:

Clause 1:

“The English Church shall be free, and shall have its rights undiminished, and its liberties unimpaired.”

Analysis: Religious freedom for the Church, not individuals. Institutional, not universal.

Clause 12:

“No scutage [tax] or aid shall be imposed on our kingdom, unless by common counsel of our kingdom…”

Analysis: Limits king’s taxation power over barons. Not about common people’s rights.

Clause 39:

“No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any other way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land.”

Analysis: This is the “famous” clause. But note:

• Applies to “free men” only (excludes serfs, peasants – majority of population)
• “Judgment of equals” = trial by peers (only for nobility)
• Not universal human rights

Clause 40:

“To no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice.”

Analysis: Good principle, but:

• Still applies within feudal system
• Doesn’t abolish serfdom
• Doesn’t free slaves
• Doesn’t grant religious freedom to all

WHAT THE MAGNA CARTA DOES NOT SAY

Does NOT Include:

• ❌ Abolition of slavery or serfdom
• ❌ Religious freedom for individuals
• ❌ Ethnic equality
• ❌ Freedom of movement
• ❌ Universal application (only “free men” = barons, not peasants)
• ❌ Freedom to choose profession
• ❌ Rights for common people
• ❌ Protection of all ethnicities

Comparison:

The Verdict: The Magna Carta was a baronial charter protecting aristocratic privileges, not a universal human rights declaration.

PART V: THE TIMELINE COMPARISON

1,700 Years of Difference

The Historical Facts:

539 BCE: Cyrus Cylinder

• Abolishes slavery/forced labor
• Declares religious freedom
• Establishes ethnic equality
• Frees captive peoples
• Allows return home
• Protects all religions
• Universal application

↓ 1,754 years pass ↓

1215 CE: Magna Carta

• Limits king’s power over barons
• Protects Church (institution)
• Trial by peers for nobility
• Does NOT abolish serfdom
• Does NOT free slaves
• Does NOT grant universal rights
• Applies to aristocracy, not common people

The Gap: 1,754 years

What Happened in Between

The Persian Legacy:

Achaemenid Empire (550-330 BCE):

• Cyrus’s principles continued
• Darius I, Xerxes maintained policies
• Largest empire of ancient world
• Religious tolerance throughout

Influence on:

• Jewish civilization (freed and funded)
• Greek thought (Persian contact)
• Later Roman governance concepts
• Islamic tolerance policies (via Persian Sasanians)

After Persian Empire:

Hellenistic Period (330-30 BCE):

• Alexander destroyed Persian Empire
• But couldn’t destroy all influences
• Persian administrative concepts continued

Roman Period (27 BCE – 476 CE):

• Roman law developed (some Persian influence via conquered territories)
• But no universal human rights
• Slavery continued
• Religious persecution common

Medieval Europe (5th-15th centuries):

• Feudalism
• Serfdom
• Religious intolerance (Crusades, Inquisition)
• No concept of universal human rights

Then:

1215 CE: Magna Carta

• Baronial privileges
• Not human rights
• Presented as “first”
• 1,700 years after actual first (Cyrus Cylinder)

PART VI: THE STOLEN CREDIT

How Western Institutions Erased Cyrus

The Modern Narrative:

What You’re Taught:

• “Human rights began in the West”
• “Magna Carta is the foundation”
• “Western Enlightenment invented individual liberty”
• “Democracy comes from Greece and Rome”

What’s Erased:

• Cyrus Cylinder predates by 1,700 years
• Persian contributions to civilization
• Zoroastrian influence on Western thought
• Non-Western origins of human rights concepts

THE UN’S ROLE

United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948):

Official UN Narrative:

“The Magna Carta (1215)… is generally regarded as a milestone in the development of human rights.”

UN Educational Materials:

• Present Magna Carta as first
• Mention Cyrus Cylinder (if at all) as footnote or “interesting artifact”
• Frame human rights as Western invention
• Eurocentric timeline

The Problem:

The Cyrus Cylinder IS in the UN:

• Replica displayed at UN Headquarters
• But presented as “ancient” curiosity, not THE FIRST
• Buried in history rather than honored as foundation

Why?

Geopolitical Reasons:

1. Cold War politics (1948 – Iran increasingly problematic for West)
2. European self-image (need to see selves as civilizational leaders)
3. Colonial justification (West “bringing civilization” to non-West)
4. Modern Iran tensions (can’t credit “axis of evil”)

ACADEMIC SUPPRESSION

What Historians Know:

Scholarly Consensus:

• Cyrus Cylinder IS first known human rights declaration
• Predates any European document
• Revolutionary for its time
• Influenced subsequent civilizations

But Public Education:

• Focuses on Magna Carta
• Downplays or ignores Cyrus
• Presents Western-centric timeline
• Buries Persian contribution

Why the Disconnect?

Academic vs. Popular:

• Scholars acknowledge Cyrus in specialized works
• But popular textbooks don’t emphasize it
• Public narrative remains Euro-centric
• Deliberate framing

THE BRITISH MUSEUM’S ROLE

The Cylinder’s Location:

Currently:

• British Museum, London
• Taken from Persia during archaeological excavations (1879)
• Never returned to Iran

The Irony:

• First human rights declaration held by colonial power
• Iran repeatedly requested return
• Museum refuses (claims it’s “world heritage”)
• Stolen artifact of liberation held by empire

The Control:

• British Museum controls narrative
• Decides how artifact is presented
• Frames it within British imperial context
• Minimizes its revolutionary significance

PART VII: THE PATTERN OF ERASURE

This Fits the Larger Coverup

The Cyrus Cylinder theft of credit is part of a pattern:

1. THEOLOGICAL ERASURE

What We’ve Proven in Other Articles:

• Zoroastrianism gave the world:
  • Resurrection
  • Heaven and Hell
  • Angels and Demons
  • Satan as cosmic enemy
  • Final Judgment
  • Messiah concept
  • Apocalypse
• Judaism absorbed during Babylonian Exile
• Christianity inherited from Judaism
• Islam inherited from both

How It Was Hidden:

• Concepts claimed as original Jewish/Christian/Islamic
• Source never acknowledged
• 4.3 billion people practice Persian theology without knowing

Result: Theological credit stolen

2. CYRUS CYLINDER – POLITICAL/MORAL ERASURE

What the Cylinder Proves:

• Human rights originated in Persia (539 BCE)
• First abolition of slavery
• First religious freedom declaration
• First ethnic equality proclamation
• 1,700 years before Europe

How It’s Hidden:

• Magna Carta presented as “first”
• Cyrus downplayed or ignored
• Western institutions control narrative
• Iran portrayed as oppressive despite inventing human rights

Result: Moral credit stolen

3. SCIENTIFIC ERASURE

Persian Scientific Contributions (Often Uncredited):

• Algebra (al-Khwarizmi – Persian, not Greek)
• Algorithm (named after al-Khwarizmi)
• Advanced astronomy (Persian observatories)
• Medicine (Avicenna/Ibn Sina – Persian)
• Chemistry/Alchemy foundations

How It’s Hidden:

• Attributed to “Greeks” or generic “Islamic Golden Age”
• Specific Persian contributions minimized
• “Arab” used when many were Persian
• Credit redirected to Europe

Result: Scientific credit stolen

THE META-PATTERN

Zoroastrianism/Persia gave the world:

1. Theology – Resurrection, angels, heaven/hell, etc.
2. Morality – Human rights, abolition, religious freedom
3. Science – Mathematics, astronomy, medicine
4. Philosophy – Influenced Greek thought via Magi

All stolen, rebranded, credited to others.

Why?

• Can’t acknowledge non-Western, non-Christian origins
• Colonial/imperial self-image requires West as civilizational source
• Modern geopolitics (Iran must be “evil,” not civilizational founder)
• Systematic erasure to maintain false narrative

PART VIII: THE GEOPOLITICAL MOTIVE

Why This Matters to Modern Powers

The Problem for Western Narrative:

If World Acknowledged:

• Persia invented human rights (539 BCE)
• Persia freed slaves first
• Persia established religious freedom first
• Persia is moral foundation of civilization

Then:

• How justify sanctioning Iran?
• How call Iran “axis of evil”?
• How portray Persia as backwards?
• How maintain Western moral superiority?

The Solution: Bury it. Credit Europe instead. Make Magna Carta “first.”

THE IRANIAN PROBLEM

Modern Iran:

• Islamic Republic (1979 Revolution)
• Sanctions since 1979 (45+ years)
• Called “axis of evil” (Bush, 2002)
• Portrayed as oppressive, backwards, dangerous
• Isolated from global community

The Contradiction:

• Ancient Persia invented human rights
• Modern Iran is heir to that civilization
• But modern narrative: Iran = human rights violator
• Can’t acknowledge Iran’s civilizational contributions while demonizing it

The Strategy:

• Separate “ancient Persia” from “modern Iran”
• Present ancient achievements as irrelevant
• Focus on modern government’s problems
• Never credit Persian foundations of Western values

THE COLONIAL JUSTIFICATION

Historical Context:

19th-20th Century Colonialism:

• European powers colonized much of world
• Justification: “Bringing civilization to savages”
• Narrative: West = advanced, civilized
• Non-West = backwards, primitive

The Problem: If Persia invented human rights 1,700 years before Europe:

• Colonialism wasn’t “civilizing mission”
• West learned from non-West
• Moral superiority claim collapses

The Solution: Rewrite history. Credit Magna Carta. Ignore Cyrus Cylinder.

PART IX: THE EVIDENCE IS PUBLIC

Anyone Can Verify This

The Cyrus Cylinder:

1. See It Yourself:

• British Museum, London (Room 52)
• Visitor can view original artifact
• Translation displayed alongside
• Physical evidence accessible

2. Read the Translation:

• Full text available online
• Multiple scholarly translations
• Academic sources (Encyclopaedia Iranica, etc.)
• Can verify claims yourself

3. Check the Date:

• 539 BCE (archaeologically confirmed)
• Cuneiform script dating verified
• Historical context documented
• Chronology undisputed

4. Compare to Magna Carta:

• Magna Carta text fully available
• Can read what it actually says
• See it applies to “free men” (barons), not all
• Comparison proves Cyrus more universal

5. Note the Gap:

• 539 BCE (Cyrus) to 1215 CE (Magna Carta)
• 1,754 years
• Undeniable timeline

THE BIBLICAL CONFIRMATION

Read for Yourself:

• Isaiah 45:1-13 (Cyrus called “Messiah,” will “set exiles free”)
• Ezra 1:1-4, 6:3-5 (Cyrus frees Jews, funds temple)
• 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 (Cyrus’s written proclamation)

The Bible confirms:

• Cyrus freed captives
• Allowed religious freedom
• Funded temple rebuilding
• Made written declaration (= Cylinder)

This is Biblical testimony, not just Persian claims.

PART X: WHAT SHOULD BE ACKNOWLEDGED

The Truth

The Cyrus Cylinder (539 BCE) is:

• The first human rights declaration in history
• The first document abolishing slavery
• The first religious freedom proclamation
• The first ethnic equality declaration
• The first universal rights charter

Created by:

• Cyrus the Great
• Persian Zoroastrian king
• Founder of Achaemenid Empire
• Called “Messiah” in the Bible

Predates:

• Magna Carta by 1,754 years
• Any European human rights document by over a millennium
• Enlightenment philosophy by 2,200+ years

The Magna Carta (1215 CE) is:

• A baronial charter protecting aristocratic privileges
• Important step in limiting monarchical power in England
• NOT the first human rights declaration
• NOT universal in application
• 1,700+ years late

What the UN Should Say

Correct Statement:

“The Cyrus Cylinder (539 BCE), created by Cyrus the Great of Persia, is the first known human rights declaration in history. It abolished slavery, proclaimed religious freedom, established ethnic equality, and freed captive peoples. This revolutionary document predates the Magna Carta by 1,754 years and represents humanity’s first codification of universal human rights. The Magna Carta (1215 CE), while historically significant in limiting monarchical power in England, was not the first human rights document and applied only to free men (nobility), not universally.”

But They Don’t: Because it would:

• Credit non-Western civilization
• Undermine Eurocentric narrative
• Complicate modern Iran relations
• Challenge colonial historical framing
• Reveal the theft of credit

CONCLUSION: THE GREATEST THEFT OF MORAL CREDIT

1,700 Years and a Lie

The Reality:

539 BCE: Cyrus the Great of Persia

• Creates world’s first human rights declaration
• Abolishes slavery
• Declares religious freedom
• Establishes ethnic equality
• Frees all captive peoples
• Allows return to homelands
• Universal application to all subjects
• Revolutionary for any era, incomparable for ancient times

Biblical Confirmation:

• Called “Messiah” (first person ever given title)
• Praised for freeing exiles
• Documented as rebuilding temples
• Scripture confirms his liberation policies

↓ 1,754 years pass ↓

1215 CE: English Barons

• Force King John to sign Magna Carta
• Protects baronial privileges
• Limits king’s power over nobility
• Does NOT abolish serfdom/slavery
• Does NOT grant universal rights
• Applies only to “free men” (aristocracy)
• Important but NOT universal human rights

Modern Narrative:

• Cyrus ignored or downplayed
• Magna Carta presented as “first”
• 1,700 years of Persian credit stolen

Why This Theft Matters

It’s Not Just Historical Correction:

1. Reveals Pattern of Erasure:

• Theological credit stolen (Zoroastrianism)
• Moral credit stolen (Cyrus Cylinder)
• Scientific credit stolen (Persian advances)
• Systematic burial of Persian contributions

2. Exposes Geopolitical Manipulation:

• Can’t credit Iran while sanctioning it
• Can’t acknowledge Persian moral leadership while calling it “evil”
• Historical truth sacrificed for modern politics

3. Perpetuates False Narrative:

• “West invented everything”
• “Non-West learned from West”
• Reality: West learned from Persia

4. Dishonors Truth:

• Cyrus deserves recognition
• Persia deserves credit
• History deserves accuracy
• Asha (truth) demands acknowledgment

The Numbers

Cyrus Freed:

• Jews (70 years of Babylonian captivity)
• Multiple ethnic groups across empire
• Various religious communities
• Estimates: Hundreds of thousands liberated

Created Precedent:

• Religious tolerance
• Ethnic equality
• Abolition
• Human rights

Influenced:

• Jewish civilization (Second Temple period)
• Western thought (via Greek contact with Persia)
• Later Islamic tolerance policies
• Enlightenment philosophy (indirectly)

The Impact: Cyrus’s declaration shaped human rights concepts for 2,500 years.

But credit goes to document from 1215 CE.

Asha Prevails

The Cyrus Cylinder exists. The date is confirmed: 539 BCE. The text is clear: human rights declared. The Bible confirms it: Cyrus freed exiles. The timeline is undeniable: 1,700 years before Magna Carta.

You can bury it in a museum. You can frame it as “ancient curiosity.” You can credit Magna Carta instead. You can rewrite textbooks. You can control the narrative.

But you cannot change the facts.

The Cyrus Cylinder is the first human rights declaration. Persia invented the concept. A Zoroastrian king freed slaves, declared religious freedom, and established equality. 1,700 years before Europe.

The credit was stolen. But the truth remains.

And now the truth is being revealed.

Good Thoughts. Good Words. Good Deeds.

Cyrus the Great declared human rights in 539 BCE. The Magna Carta came 1,754 years later. The world was taught a lie. The credit belongs to Persia.

**Asha prevails. The truth is undeniable. The evidence is