Person530 BC
Cyrus the Great
Also called: Cyrus II
Founder of the Achaemenid Persian Empire (r. 559–530 BC), who conquered Media, Lydia and the Neo-Babylonian Empire in turn
Starting as king of Anshan in Persia, a vassal of Media, he overthrew the Median king Astyages, said to be his maternal grandfather. He defeated Croesus of Lydia at Sardis and entered Babylon almost without a fight, claiming to come at the bidding of the god Marduk. He restored the temples of conquered lands and sent deported peoples home, so that the Old Testament calls him the Lord’s anointed. He died on campaign in Central Asia and was buried at Pasargadae.