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Kourosh, Cyrus the Great

In 539 Cyrus, declared on the cylinder (now in the British Museum) that:... when my numerous soldiers in great numbers peacefully entered Babylon and moved about undisturbed in the midst of the Babylon, I did not allow anyone to terrorize the people of the lands of Sumer and Akad and ...

I kept in view, the needs of the people and all their sanctuaries to promote their well being. I strove for peace in Babylon and in all his other sacred cities. As to the inhabitants of Babylon who against the will of the gods were enslaved, I abolished the tax which was against their social standing, I freed all slaves. I brought relief to their dilapidated housing, putting thus an end to their misfortunes and slavery ......

I announce that I will respect the traditions, customs and religions of the nations of my empire and never let any of my governors and subordinates look down on or insult them until I am alive. From now on, till (Ahura) Mazda grants me the kingdom favor, I will impose my monarchy on no nation. Each is free to accept it , and if any one of them rejects it , I never resolve on war to reign. Until I am the king of Iran, Babylon, and the nations of the four directions, I never let anyone oppress any others, and if it occurs , I will take his or her right back and penalize the oppressor.

And so long as I am the monarch, I will never let anyone take possession of movable and landed properties of the others by force or without compensation. So long as I am alive, I prevent unpaid, forced labor.

Today, I announce that everyone is free to choose a religion. People are free to live in all regions and take up a job provided that they never violate other's rights.No one could be penalized for his or her relatives' faults. I prevent slavery and my governors and subordinates are obliged to prohibit exchanging men and women as slaves within their own ruling domains. Such a traditions should be exterminated the world over ...
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Comments

  1. Emil Perhinschi12:42

    Is this very oblique sarcasm, or is there a reference for this text ? I'd like to see the context ...

    Somehow it does not seem believable that Cyrus outlawed slavery.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Philip Hall21:24

    emil per

    This is what Cyrus said on the great seal. Now whether he actually abolished slavery or not, I don't know. He did liberate the Jews from Babylon and give them back Jerusalem in 539 bc.

    Just go to answers.com and check it out. Tell me what you find.

    ReplyDelete

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