Eugenides the Great

[aspectabund.livejournal.com]

From wikipedia:

"The Medes were an  ancient Iranian people who lived in the northwestern portions of present-day Iran, and roughly the areas of present day Kurdistan, Hamedan, Tehran, Azarbaijan, Esfahan, and Zanajan. [...] The Medes are credited with the foundation of the first Iranian empire, the largest of its day until Cyrus the Great established a unified Iranian empire of the Medes and Persians."

Now, on Cyrus the Great:

"The empire expanded under his rule, eventually conquering most of Southwest Asia and much of Central Asia, from Egypt and the Hellespont in the west to the Indus River in the east, to create the largest state the world had yet seen.

During his twenty-nine year reign, Cyrus fought against some of the greatest states of his time, including the Median Empire, the Lydian Empire, and the Neo-Babylonic. Cyrus did not venture into Egypt, as he himself died in battle, fighting the Massagetae along the Syr Darya in August 530 BC.  He was succeeded by his son, Cambyses II, who managed to conquer Egypt during his short rule."

From another article:

"According to Herodotus Cyrus the Great of Persia met his death in a battle with the Massagetae living beyond Araxus river."

Apparently, the name "Cyrus" can be translated as either "like the sun" or "humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest." Lol at the second option. Cyrus was also the grandson of the Median king Astyages. Also, a glimpse into Cyrus' character by his battle tactics:

"Learning that the Massagetae were unfamiliar with wine and its intoxicating effects, Cyrus ordered that his troops leave their camp with plenty of it behind, making it appear that they had hastily retreated. Finding the abandoned camp and the wine, Spargapises and his troops unwittingly drank themselves into inebriation, diminishing their capability to defend themselves when they were then overtaken by a surprise attack."

In her acceptance of the Nobel Peace Prize, Shirin Ebadi evoked Cyrus, saying"

"I am an Iranian, a descendant of Cyrus the Great. This emperor proclaimed at the pinnacle of power 2,500 years ago that he 'would not reign over the people if they did not wish it.' He promised not to force any person to change his religion and faith and guaranteed freedom for all. The Charter of Cyrus the Great should be studied in the history of human rights."

One last quote from Wiki:

"Cyrus the Great is genuinely one of history's towering figures. America's own founders such as Thomas Jefferson were influenced by Cyrus the Great in the field of Human Rights."

:)

Comments

[peggy-2.livejournal.com]

the final picture says it all. Thanks for the info!

*is learning so much from Sounis!*

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Very cool. A little of that I knew, but most I didn't. Thanks for sharing.

[alineadrklrdsis.livejournal.com]

That's cool.

"Humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest."

Lol. =)

[pigrescuer.livejournal.com]

That is sehr cool.

''humiliator of the enemy in verbal contest'' XD

''he 'would not reign over the people if they did not wish it.'' - change that to ''he would not reign over the people if he did not wish it''.

How odd.