The Rise Of The Century King Cyrus And Emperor Constantine

Cyrus II of Persia, also known as Cyrus the Great, was one of the most influential and powerful rulers in the Ancient World.¹ By overthrowing the Assyrian empire, he was able to start the Persian Empire. Through his superior diplomacy skills within his empire, to his genius war tactics, he built the foundation for a line of Persian Kings to rule one of the largest empires in world history.

For example, Cyrus the Great paid for his own treasury, to aid Jews return back to Jerusalem, and helping them build new temples and rebuild a city from the ground (Doc. 2). Also Ashoka , “respected mothers and fathers is good, generosity to friends,” and “work for the proper treatment of prisoners.” (Doc.6). This proves that they stayed loyal to their citizens, and helped them when needed. In addition, another similarity was that they were both religiously tolerant, meaning they respected other religions that wasn’t theirs. According to the Cyrus Cylinder, Cyrus traveled around the area making sanctuaries permanent for their owners, something to have been seen done by any ruler before. (Doc.1) Also, in the Edicts of King Ashoka, it is stated “honors not ascetics and the householders of all religions.” (Doc. 7) This really helped them. Because back them religion was one of the most important things, and feeling welcomed and accepted by your ruler would be a relied for many. Another similarity was the fact that they both had spies. Cyrus had many people in the cities who would report back with updates (Doc 5.) Ashoka also did this in order to find information on its people (Doc.7). This platform of information was good because it gave the leaders and its people god communication, which was not easy to find back

After the Assyrian Empire fell to the Chaldeans, later, the Chaldeans then surrendered to the Persian Empire. The Persians were a nomadic people that obtained the Indo-European tongue. Cyrus the Great was a Persian ruler that created the Persian state even more powerful with the introduction of satrapies, provinces when they continued to expand their nation. Je was a ruler with great wisdom and restraint that Babylonians experienced when Cyrus took them over. Cyrus, a merciful leader, allowed the Jews to return to their home city, Jerusalem, with all their sacred objects and could rebuild their Temple. He was a respected king for he allowed the practices of Assyria, Babylonia, Egyptian, and Lydia to occur in his palace. Even after he died,

Cyrus, typically known as Cyrus the Great, was the king of the Persians that lived from 576 to 530 B.C. He became the king of the Persians in 559 B.C. and reigned until 530 B.C. During this time, people were fighting for power and control of the Fertile Crescent and of Asia Minor. Cyrus was mainly known for his large respect and tolerance to other religions and his highly peaceful actions to people he conquered. He was also known for being one of the few people able to control and hold control one of the biggest empires, even after death.

Constantine was a very influential leader throughout his life. He was able to accomplish many things, everything from making a major world religion possible, to running a successful empire. It all started when he was born in around 280 CE in Naissus, Moesia, to father Flavius Valerius and mother Helena. His father became Roman emperor in around 305 CE. He was elected to the position of emperor by Maximalla, who was the emperor of Western Rome at the time. While his father was alive, Constantine was sent off to Eastern Rome, where he received a great education and became fluent in both Greek and Latin. This is when most historians agree that he was introduced to Christianity. Constantine then went back to Western Rome where he would take over the position of emperor after his father died. At the age of 57, Constantine got sick and died in Constantinople on May 22, 337 CE. Throughout his whole life, Constantine made many efficacious and influential contributions as a leader, and he was a great example of the Gerstell academy definition of leadership and the Principles and Attributes.

Cyrus II the Great is credited as the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. Cyrus II reigned from 558-530 B.C.E. Cyrus II took control of the weakened Assyrian and Babylonian empires through his powerful, strategic military. Under Cyrus II’s rule, the empire’s military expanded and conquered most of Asia and parts of Europe creating the largest empire in the world during this time period. Cyrus II led his kingdom by respecting the religions and customs of the people he conquered. Cyrus II was successful in molding a centralized administration and creating a stable, working government. His achievements involving military strategy, politics, and human rights impacted and influenced not only the Achaemenid Empire but both Western and Eastern Civilizations. Cyrus II fell wounded while protecting the northeastern border of his empire from raiders ending his reign.

According to Constantine’s Porphyry Column, “Constantine brutally murdered his son and wife.” These acts were directly against the Christian church, which gave the people of the Roman Empire an inaccurate portrayal of the word of God. Many historians also believe that Constantine’s acceptance of Christianity was rooted in his hatred for the Jewish People. He used his negativity of Judaism as a way to promote his new laws. Many of his new laws had Christian Characteristics. He believed that these new laws would help him to dominate his people. Despite the fact that he gave Christians legal freedom to practice their religion, he made them feel subordinate. This is a crucial flaw in the strategy of Constantine. It removes the genuine nature of his acceptance. Because of this his actions are viewed as blasphemy rather than something to be celebrated. This is largely due to the fact that he accepted Christianity in the Roman Empire for selfish reasons. Because of his violent methods and selfish ruling, Constantine hurt Christianity’s image among the Roman people.

Cyrus the Great became ruler of the Persians because he did not want to be controlled by the meads and along with his nomadic warriors, he overtook them. Previously, the Medes had an Iranian religion of whom the Magi were like the priests of Persia and with their great architectural knowledge, they build fire temples which were used by the Magi to perform ceremonies & rituals. This religion derived from magic and astrology, principles of dualism (good & Evil) and resurrection. This religion is one of the causes for which Cyrus the great, rebelled against the Medes. With his army, he conquered most of Asia and remained in power because of the type of ruler that he was. Cyrus allowed the people to keep their customs and practice their own religions, worship their own gods and carry their separate rituals,

Instead, the official who was in charge with the task of having the baby killed, gave him to a shepherd instead. When Cyrus was ten years old, King Astyages had found out about Cyrus but let him live due to his great qualities and live in exile with his mother. Cyrus revolted against his grandfather, Astyages in 554 B.C.E and in 550 B.C.E Cyrus went into Ecbatana, which is modern day Hamadan, and conquered the Median Empire. Cyrus the Great was the founder of the Persian Empire and ruled majority of the ancient Middle East into a one party system from India to the Mediterranean Sea. He founded the first world empire and the second Iranian dynastic empire, with the Achaemienid’s having the first Zoroastrian-Persian Empire.

Christianity and Islam were both universalizing religions, which were the two main religions in the Byzantine Empire and the Islamic Caliphates. When people from a specific religion or church reach out to other people to persuade people or convert them to their religion, it is considered universalizing. Because of both religions being universalizing, the empires started rapidly increasing in population, and spreading Islamic and Christian culture around the world. The reason Christianity developed so quickly was because of Emperor Constantine, one of the most famous Roman leaders, converted to Christianity in 330 CE, declaring Christianity Rome's official religion. The religion spread like wildfires, and soon became one of the most popular

Constantine was the idealistic ruler. He helped restore his people and empire in a time of inflation, social crisis and political turmoil. In the modern world he is seen as a great ruler in history. He is also seen as a major contributor to modern day civilization. In his ruling he helped pave the way for christianity and the secular world.

If I could travel back in time to the days of the Roman empire, I would try and prevent Constantine from moving the capital to a new location, Constantinople. And instead suggest that he either keeps it in place, or builds the capital but keeps Rome as it capital as well.

Many people look at good leaders and wonder what made them great. Xenophon was one such person. He looked at the legendary leader, Cyrus of Persia, and presented him as the best leader the world had ever seen. Cyrus could rule over humans as easily as other men ruled sheep and livestock. He was seen as just and honorable as he lavished things on his compatriots generously. But although he acted just and honorable his motives were far from good. He used manipulation to gain power for himself on many instances. His extravagant generosity, which was so highly praised, was used for only his own gain.

Soon after learning justice in Persia, Cyrus is sent off to live in Media with his grandfather, the King of Media, Astyages. Upon Cyrus and Astyages’ first

The reign of Constantine the Great marks the transition of the Christian religion from under persecution by the secular government to union with the same, beginning the state-church system (Schaff, pg., 4). However, following Jesus’s death, resurrection, and ascension, many questions arose about Christ, his nature, and in answer to those, different hypocritical positions arose. In the fourth and fifth centuries, the early Church Fathers gathered to discuss and agree to a common, Biblical view of Christ in response to some erroneous views. These were the Councils of Nicaea (325 A.D.), Constantinople (381 A.D.), and Chalcedon (451 A.D.).