The Cyrus Cylinder is an artifact of the Persian Empire, consisting of a declaration inscribed in Babylonian cuneiform on a clay barrel. Upon his taking of Babylon, Cyrus the Great issued the declaration, containing an account of his victories and merciful acts, as well as a documentation of his royal lineage. It was discovered in 1879 by A. H. Rassam in the Marduk temple of Babylon, and today is kept in the British Museum Antigoni Zournatzi: "The Cyrus Cylinder", in Encyclopedia Iranica, p. 521..

The declaration is sometimes described as the "first charter of human rights" Forgotten Empire at the British Museum, mainly due to the mention of Babylonian slaves being freed. In fact, the declaration reflects a much earlier Mesopotamian tradition where new reigns were inaugurated with declarations of reforms Cyrus Cylinder: A declaration of good kingship British Museum website..

A replica of the cylinder is kept at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City.

See also

• Cyrus the Great, Founder of Persian Empire.
• Darius I, King of Persia
• Naqsh-e Rustam inscription

Notes