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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 ...

Comments

  1. 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. 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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