Eps 11: The Secret Life Of Cyrus The Elder
— Nurman
In this podcast, the narrator delves into the life and accomplishments of Cyrus the Elder, founder of the Persian Achaemenid Empire. Cyrus was born into a noble family, and his early years were spent learning the art of warfare and diplomacy. When he came to power, he embarked on a series of military campaigns that eventually led to the conquest of Babylon. Cyrus was known for his tolerance towards different cultures and religions, and he allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple. He was also known for his strategic intelligence and his ability to consolidate power and maintain stability in his kingdom. The narrator highlights the legacy of Cyrus, which includes the Cyrus Cylinder, a clay cylinder inscribed with his accomplishments and beliefs, and the fact that many of his ideas and policies continue to influence modern politics and diplomacy. Overall, Cyrus the Elder is an important figure in world history, and his life and accomplishments continue to capture the imagination of scholars and enthusiasts alike.
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Host
Randy Adams
Podcast Content
To understand Cyrus's secret life, we need to first understand his public persona. Cyrus was a great conqueror who expanded his empire from its humble beginnings in modern-day Iran to encompass much of the ancient world. He famously conquered the Babylonian Empire and freed its Jewish captives, earning him a reputation as a benevolent leader.
But Cyrus's conquests weren't just about gaining power and territory. He was also a deeply religious man who believed he was fulfilling the will of the gods. He practiced the Zoroastrian faith, which emphasized good deeds and actions, and he saw his conquests as a way to spread the benefits of his faith to others.
However, there were many aspects of Cyrus's life that he kept hidden from the public eye. One of these was his love of poetry. Cyrus was a talented poet who composed many works during his lifetime. He was particularly known for his love poems, which were often addressed to his favorite concubines.
This brings us to another secret aspect of Cyrus's life: his harem. Like many ancient rulers, Cyrus had a large harem of women who were kept entirely separate from public view. These women were often captured during his conquests and were taken as concubines. However, Cyrus was known for treating his concubines well and was said to have been genuinely fond of many of them.
Despite his love of poetry and his harem, Cyrus was also a pragmatic leader who understood the importance of diplomacy. He was known for his skills as a negotiator and was able to make alliances with neighboring kingdoms in order to strengthen his own position.
One example of Cyrus's diplomatic skills was his relationship with the Lydian king Croesus. Croesus was a powerful ruler who had been warned by the oracle at Delphi that if he went to war with Cyrus, he would destroy a great empire. Assuming that this meant he would be victorious, Croesus attacked Cyrus's forces but was ultimately defeated.
However, Cyrus was impressed by Croesus's bravery and intelligence, and he spared his life and made him an advisor. This shows Cyrus's willingness to forgive and build alliances, even with former enemies.
Another secret aspect of Cyrus's life was his love of animals. He was said to be particularly fond of horses and kept a large stable of them. He also enjoyed hunting and was known for his prowess as a hunter.
Cyrus's love of animals extended to his treatment of his own people. He was a benevolent ruler who was known for his policies of kindness and compassion. He believed that all people should be treated fairly and justly, regardless of their status or background.
One example of this was his treatment of the Jewish captives he freed from Babylon. Cyrus allowed them to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple, and he even financed the project himself. This act of kindness earned Cyrus the gratitude and loyalty of the Jewish people, who saw him as a savior.
As we can see, there was much more to Cyrus the Elder than met the eye. His public persona as a conqueror and religious leader was only part of the story. In his private life, he was a lover of poetry, animals, and women. He was also a skilled negotiator and compassionate leader who believed in treating all people with respect and dignity.
In many ways, Cyrus's secret life is a reminder that even the most legendary figures in history are complex individuals with many different facets to their personalities. It also shows us that there is often more to a person's life than we initially think, and that there are always new discoveries to be made about even the most well-known historical figures.
That's all for today's episode of The Secret Life Of Cyrus The Elder. Thank you for listening, and we'll see you next time.